Alejandro Garnacho has been criticised by former Liverpool and Aston Villa left-back Stephen Warnock after struggling during Aston Villa's goalless draw at Hull City on Saturday. Warnock, speaking on co-commentary, said the 22-year-old looked "completely disinterested" during his third appearance for the club.
Garnacho, who joined Villa on loan with a conditional obligation to buy from Chelsea earlier this summer, came on as a second-half substitute in the 75th minute, replacing Emiliano Buendia. The Argentine failed to make an impact, registering no shots, no chances created, no completed crosses and just nine passes during his 15 minutes plus stoppage-time on the pitch.
Warnock criticises Villa substitutes
Warnock also singled out Tammy Abraham, who was brought on in the 85th minute for Nicolas Jackson, saying neither player contributed after being introduced. "You may as well take off Alejandro Garnacho and Tammy Abraham," Warnock said. "They have done nothing since they have come on the pitch. Garnacho going down. He looks completely disinterested. Unai Emery will be furious with his changes."
Garnacho left Manchester United last summer after making 144 first-team appearances and scoring 26 goals. He moved to Chelsea for £40 million but endured a difficult debut season in west London, prompting the Blues to sanction his exit. Villa signed him in July.
Emery explains Garnacho's situation
Since joining, Garnacho has appeared in Villa's opening three Premier League fixtures but has been kept out of the starting side by teenager George Hemmings, who has impressed. After the Hull match, Emery said Hemmings is already operating at Premier League standard while Garnacho still needs to adapt.
"George, he worked last year the whole year with us and played minutes," Emery said. "He is performing fantastic and getting better. He created one assist for Buendia. He is working in the intensity and kilometres we need. He is doing it. I think he is a player now, clearly, to be in the Premier League."
"Then, we have other players who joined who need to adapt to us in training, playing matches, and Garnacho is in this way. We need their performance to try to add things, working and getting numbers. Garnacho is in this way. How he is responding, George, is really fantastic."
