Overview
- Aston Villa beat Coventry City 3-1 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday but Alejandro Garnacho was an unused substitute for a third straight game, having only about 31 minutes from three substitute appearances so far this season.
- Manager Unai Emery said Garnacho is "a little bit behind" the rest of the squad and told the winger to "continue working" in training to earn minutes on the pitch.
- Villa have given starts and opportunities to George Hemmings, Alysson and Ibrahim Mbaye, with Emery pointing to their form as a reason Garnacho is currently down the pecking order.
- Garnacho missed key pre-season time after a facial injury, a setback Emery and multiple reports say has hindered the player's fitness and tactical integration at Villa.
- Commentators warn the loan could stall if playing time stays limited because the deal reportedly contains a conditional £42.5m obligation to buy linked to appearances, a situation pundits compare to Villa's handling of a previous loanee.