Aston Villa midfielder George Hemmings has withdrawn from the England Under-20 squad during the international break.
The 19-year-old had originally been selected for England’s three Euro Elite League fixtures in Spain against Italy, France and Germany.
However, an official England squad update confirmed on Wednesday that Hemmings had withdrawn from the group.
England have not given a reason for the Aston Villa youngster’s withdrawal, so there is currently no confirmation that it is injury-related.
The development means Hemmings will not be involved when Darren Moore’s side begin their international schedule against Italy on Friday.
George Hemmings withdraws from England U20 squad
Hemmings was initially named as part of the Under-20 squad following an impressive start to his breakthrough season at Aston Villa.
England later confirmed that Hemmings, Jimmy Jay Morgan and Finlay Herrick had all withdrawn from the squad.
Arsenal duo Andre Harriman-Annous and Khari Ranson were subsequently added to the group.
There has been no further detail regarding Hemmings’ situation.
That distinction is important for Villa, particularly during an international break in which Unai Emery already has a number of players away from Bodymoor Heath.
Our Aston Villa international-break tracker is following every senior and academy player involved with their countries throughout the extended break.
Hemmings’ withdrawal should now be reflected there, rather than continuing to list him among Villa’s active internationals.
Hemmings has become important to Unai Emery
The withdrawal comes after Hemmings established himself as a genuine first-team option during the opening weeks of the season.
The midfielder has already been trusted in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup after convincing Emery to keep him at Villa Park during the summer.
Several Championship clubs had been interested in taking Hemmings on loan, but Villa ultimately decided against sanctioning an exit.
That decision has paid off quickly.
Hemmings started Villa’s opening Premier League matches before completing 90 minutes in the 3-2 Champions League victory over Club Brugge.
Emery subsequently praised his development, with our report on Unai Emery’s verdict on George Hemmings detailing the manager’s growing confidence in the teenager.
His progress can also be followed through our George Hemmings Aston Villa profile, which tracks his appearances and first-team breakthrough.
Aston Villa now wait for further Hemmings update
Hemmings remaining away from England duty could potentially give Emery additional time with the midfielder at Bodymoor Heath during the break.
However, that will depend entirely on the reason for his withdrawal.
Until Villa or England provide further information, it would be wrong to assume that Hemmings has suffered a fitness problem.
That makes the next update significant.
Villa have a lengthy period without competitive football before returning to Premier League action against Brentford on October 10.
Emery is using the international break to work with the players who have remained in Birmingham, while Villa are also scheduled to play friendly fixtures as part of their preparations.
If Hemmings is available to train normally, his withdrawal could give him valuable additional time with Emery ahead of that return.
For now, the only confirmed development is that one of Villa’s brightest young players will no longer be involved in England Under-20 duty during this international window.
