Alejandro Garnacho offered Aston Villa escape route after just three appearances as career hits new low

Out-of-favour Aston Villa winger Alejandro Garnacho has been linked with a move away from the club after just three appearances.

Garnacho signed for Villa on a season-long loan from Chelsea in July but has struggled for minutes under head coach Unai Emery, with the Spaniard making it clear that the Manchester United academy graduate is down the pecking order at Villa Park.

Overall, the 22-year-old has managed just 31 minutes of football for Villa, spread across three appearances. Emery has picked the likes of Emi Buendia, youngster George Hemmings and new signing Ibrahim Mbaye ahead of Garnacho on the left flank, with the Villa boss deciding against fielding the Chelsea loanee in the last two matches despite him being named on the bench.

Alejandro Garnacho linked with move away from Aston Villa

And now, it appears Garnacho may leave Villa Park sooner rather than later, with the Daily Mail reporting that several La Liga sides are monitoring the winger ahead of the January transfer window.

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Garnacho’s current loan deal involves an ‘easily achievable’ obligation to buy should the Argentinian hit certain targets set out in the agreement between the clubs.

He previously represented both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at academy level before joining United as a 16-year-old.

The 22-year-old endured an unsuccessful first season at Chelsea following his £40million move last summer, registering just one goal in 24 Premier League appearances for the Blues.

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What has Unai Emery said about Alejandro Garnacho?

Emery has made his feelings very clear when it comes to Garnacho, with the Villa boss explaining that the player needs to “continue working” to get into his team.

“When he can have minutes to play, try to play well. He is progressing, but we have players in front of him now,” he said earlier this month.

“George is playing fantastic. Alysson is also understanding things well and is giving us things I want. (Ibrahim) Mbaye also responded well.

“We want a competitive team and players to compete in the style we have. Garnacho is a little bit behind because of some circumstances we had in pre-season. It is time to be patient for the time he needs.”

Emery has been known to treat new signings with caution, having previously waited until November 2023 to hand Youri Tielemans his first Premier League start for the club, despite the Belgian signing in June of that year. He later went on to become an integral player in Villa’s side.

Villa return to action at home against Brentford after the international break.