Aston Villa player told to impress Emery behind-the-scenes or face summer axe

Man City arrive at Villa Park with a perfect league record on Saturday, but Unai Emery’s side have plenty of reasons to fancy an upset.

Aston Villa have won their last three home meetings with City and took maximum points from both fixtures against them last season.

REUTERS/Maurice Van Steen

The match therefore presents a chance to build on an encouraging week, after a 1-0 win at Newcastle was followed by a 3-1 success against Viking.

That European victory maintained Villa’s winning start in the Champions League, where they have won all three games.

Their domestic campaign still needs work, though, with Emery’s men sitting 12th on eight points and awaiting their first home league victory.

Enzo Maresca’s visitors have won their opening seven Premier League matches and can call on Erling Haaland, who is fit to play.

REUTERS/Matthew Childs

Emery has fitness concerns of his own, with Johan Manzambi facing an assessment and Matteo Ruggeri, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Amadou Onana unavailable.

Across the clubs’ last 10 meetings, Villa have four wins, City have five and one match finished level.

Alejandro Garnacho will want to be involved in occasions like Saturday’s game, but his immediate challenge is reportedly to change Emery’s thinking in training.

Alejandro Garnacho faces Aston Villa exit unless he wins over Unai Emery in training

REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reports that the winger must convince his manager he deserves a bigger role or risk being sent back to Chelsea next summer.

The Argentina international joined Villa on loan in July, with Chelsea confirming that a permanent transfer would follow if certain conditions were satisfied.

That means his arrival has never guaranteed a lasting stay in the Midlands.

According to O’Rourke, appearances are central to the deal, and Villa are willing to keep Garnacho below the required threshold if his performances remain unconvincing.

The report says their current preference is to avoid activating the clause, leaving the player with the task of earning a rethink.

A friendly goal against Sevilla had offered encouragement, although his name was missing when Villa selected their travelling party for Newcastle.

There was encouragement against Viking, however, when he came off the bench and earned praise from Emery.

Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

The Villa boss considered that appearance Garnacho’s strongest contribution since joining, providing something for the winger to build upon.

Ibrahim Mbaye and Alysson both started against Viking, underlining the competition Garnacho faces as he looks for more regular football.

The 22-year-old moved from Man United to Chelsea in 2025, and this summer’s loan gave him a fresh opportunity under Emery.

There is a sizeable financial decision attached to his future, too, with a potential £43 million permanent transfer.

Villa will want to see enough to justify that investment, while Garnacho needs to show he can contribute consistently to a team competing domestically and in Europe.