Alejandro Garnacho’s future at Aston Villa has become increasingly uncertain after the winger failed to register a single appearance off the bench in the club’s most recent three fixtures across all competitions.
The Argentine attacker joined Villa Park on a season-long loan arrangement from Chelsea during the previous summer window, with the agreement reached in order to give him more regular first-team football.
Emery’s squad have used him only as a substitute on three occasions since the campaign began, and he was again left as an unused player when the club recorded a third round Carabao Cup win over Coventry City.
The arrangement between Villa and Chelsea contains a clause that would allow the Midlands outfit to sign Garnacho on a permanent basis for a reported £43 million once the loan expires.
Reports in the national press indicate that the clause would convert into a compulsory purchase if certain performance-related conditions are met, though those conditions now appear difficult to fulfil.
Emery is expected to give Garnacho an opportunity during the international break, with Villa scheduled to play two closed-door practice matches.
According to the same reports, the player scored the only goal in one of those fixtures against Southampton earlier this week.
After the win over Coventry, Emery outlined what the player needed to do in order to force his way into the starting eleven, instructing him to maintain his effort in training and to take any opportunity that arose with both hands.
There is no break clause within the loan agreement, meaning that should the permanent option not be taken up, Garnacho would be required to return to Chelsea.
The forward has struggled to settle since leaving Manchester United for Chelsea in a deal worth £40 million approximately a year ago.
As part of that transfer, United negotiated a sell-on clause, which would entitle the Old Trafford club to a percentage of any future fee received by Chelsea.
With a permanent move to Villa now appearing unlikely, Chelsea are reported to be exploring potential alternative destinations for the player.
La Liga clubs are understood to be monitoring developments ahead of the next transfer window.
On his arrival at Villa, Garnacho said that he had been searching for a club where he could rebuild his confidence and recapture the form he showed during his early years at Manchester United.