Alejandro Garnacho is already under pressure at Aston Villa after another frustrating cameo in Saturday’s goalless draw with Hull City.
The Chelsea loanee has made just 31 Premier League minutes since arriving at Villa Park, including 15 minutes against Hull, but his latest performance has raised questions over whether he can force his way into Unai Emery’s plans.
Former Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock was particularly critical of Garnacho’s display, saying: “You may as well take off Alejandro Garnacho and Tammy Abraham.
They have done nothing since they have come on the pitch.
Garnacho going down. He looks completely disinterested. Unai Emery will be furious with his changes.”
Those are strong words for a player still trying to rebuild his confidence and rediscover his best form. Garnacho joined Villa after leaving Chelsea, having previously moved away from Manchester United, where he initially made his name as one of England’s most exciting young attackers.

Garnacho made his ambitions clear when he arrived, saying: “I was looking for a club to get my confidence back, so I can try to become the player I was a few years ago in my first years at Manchester United.
“I spoke with the manager and he gave me the confidence to try to help the team here, that’s why I’m here.”
However, confidence will only take him so far. Garnacho now needs to show Emery the intensity, desire and quality required to earn regular minutes.