Unai Emery has praised George Hemmings’ progress after the Aston Villa youngster started their 3-2 Champions League victory over Club Brugge.
Hemmings was again trusted from the start in Belgium as Villa secured their first victory of the season through goals from John McGinn, Emi Buendía and Nicolas Jackson.
The 19-year-old retained his place following an encouraging performance against Hull City on Saturday, despite Emery having £47million summer signing Ibrahim Mbaye and Alejandro Garnacho available from the bench.
Speaking after the victory, Emery specifically included Hemmings when discussing the players helping Villa move forward.
The Villa boss said the youngster is “progressively getting better and understanding everything we demand.”
That is significant praise from a manager whose tactical demands on young players are considerable.
George Hemmings earns Unai Emery trust
Hemmings’ rapid emergence has been one of the unexpected developments during Villa’s difficult opening weeks.
He registered Villa’s first Premier League shot on target of the season during the 0-0 draw at Hull before Emery handed him another start four days later in the Champions League.
Our guide to George Hemmings and his Aston Villa breakthrough looks at the academy player’s development and route into Emery’s first team.
His inclusion in Bruges became even more notable because of the alternatives available.
Garnacho and Mbaye were both named among the substitutes, but Emery instead kept faith with Hemmings as part of the attacking line behind Jackson.
The teenager therefore appears to be earning his opportunities rather than merely filling a temporary gap in the squad.
Emery’s post-match assessment reinforced that impression.
The Spaniard also highlighted McGinn, Buendía, Pau Torres and Victor Lindelöf before discussing Villa’s younger players and new arrivals.
His wider message was that the rebuilt squad must continue working towards the standards Villa have established in recent seasons.
That process had looked difficult during a winless and goalless opening three Premier League matches.
Villa’s performance in Belgium represented a significant change, particularly during a first half in which Emery’s side scored three times. The Guardian reported that Villa produced their most convincing attacking football of the campaign before surviving Brugge’s second-half response.
Hemmings gives Emery another Aston Villa option
The challenge now is maintaining his position as Villa’s summer additions become fully integrated.
Mbaye represents a major investment, while Garnacho arrived with extensive Premier League experience.
Brian Madjo and Johan Manzambi will provide further competition when available.
That makes Emery’s public praise important.
Hemmings is not simply being given minutes because Villa lack alternatives. He has now started consecutive senior matches and been trusted away from home in the Champions League.
Emery stressed after the previous draw at Hull that several of Villa’s new players were still becoming comfortable with his tactical structure and that improvement would come progressively.
Hemmings appears to be moving through that process quickly.
Nottingham Forest visit Villa Park on Saturday, and after another significant night in the teenager’s development, Emery has another genuine selection decision to make.
