Unai Emery believes he has been justified in handing George Hemmings a prominent role in Aston Villaâs first team, with the head coach declaring the teenager is now âclearlyâ ready for Premier League football.
The 19-year-old has started all three of Villaâs matches this season, as well as the UEFA Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain, and has quickly established himself ahead of new arrival Alejandro Garnacho.
Hemmings almost registered his first assist for the club during Saturdayâs goalless draw with Hull City. The youngster produced an excellent pull-back for Emi BuendĂa, but the Argentine midfielder could only fire his effort over the crossbar.
He also produced Villaâs first shot on target of the new campaign, forcing Konstantinos Tzolakis into a save with a low effort towards the goalkeeperâs near post.
Asked why Hemmings is currently being preferred to Garnacho, Emery praised the youngsterâs progress and work rate.

âGeorge, he worked last year the whole year with us and played minutes. He is performing fantastic and getting better.
âHe created one assist for Buendia. He is working in the intensity and kilometres we need. He is doing it. I think he is a player now, clearly, to be in the Premier League.
âThen, we have other players who joined who need to adapt to us in training, playing matches, and Garnacho is in this way.
âWe need their performance to try to add things, working and getting numbers. Garnacho is in this way. How he is responding, George, is really fantastic.â