Garnacho has played just 31 minutes at Aston Villa as Emery calls for patience

Thirty one minutes. That's all Alejandro Garnacho has played this season for Aston Villa, and he hasn't even made the matchday squad for the last three games. For a signing who arrived billed as a marquee addition on the wing, the numbers are starting to raise eyebrows, and Unai Emery had to step up to explain them.

The Argentine joined this summer on loan from Chelsea, with a purchase option that, depending on appearances made, could climb above 48 million euros. On paper, everything pointed to him becoming a key piece in the Villans' attack. The reality so far has been far more modest: he has only set foot on the pitch in three matches since arriving.

Going through those minutes helps put things in perspective. He played 4 minutes in the 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, added 12 minutes in the loss to Arsenal, and reached 15 minutes in the scoreless draw against Hull City. Since then, nothing. Not against Club Brugge, not against Nottingham Forest, and not against Coventry City did he come off the bench.

Asked about the winger's situation in a press conference, Emery didn't dodge the question, though he didn't shut the door either.

He has to keep working. Work, work, training and more work. When he does that, he'll get minutes to play, and to play well. He's progressing, but there are players ahead of him right now.Unai Emery

The competition blocking his path

The Basque coach didn't stop at generalities and put specific names on the table. He mentioned George Hemmings, who provided an assist in the League Cup win over Coventry, and Alysson, who scored a goal last weekend against Forest. Both, according to Emery, are performing better than Garnacho at this moment.

Mbaye has also done well. We want a competitive team and players who can compete in the style we play. Garnacho is a bit behind because of some things that happened in preseason. Now is the time to be patient and give him the time he needs.Unai Emery

The reference to preseason points directly to the injury the Argentine suffered before the start of the league season, a setback that, based on the coach's comments, left him out of competitive rhythm right when other teammates were seizing the chance to establish themselves in the starting eleven.

For now, the message from the bench is clear: patience and work. It remains to be seen whether that wait soon translates into playing time, because with a purchase option hovering around 48 million euros and tied to appearances made, the clock is also ticking for the club and for the player himself.