Garnacho slammed as 'completely disinterested' in Villa's third straight winless draw

Alejandro Garnacho was branded “completely disinterested” by pundit Stephen Warnock after a toothless substitute appearance in Aston Villa’s 0-0 draw at Hull City on Saturday — Villa’s third consecutive game without a win to start the Premier League campaign.

The 22-year-old, who joined Villa on loan with a conditional obligation to buy from Chelsea in July, came off the bench at the MKM Stadium to replace Emiliano Buendia with roughly 15 minutes remaining. In that time, Garnacho failed to register a single shot, create a chance or complete a cross, managing just nine passes before the final whistle.

Ex-Villa and Liverpool left-back Warnock, speaking on co-commentary, was unsparing in his verdict. “You may as well take off Alejandro Garnacho and Tammy Abraham,” he 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.”

Abraham had been introduced in the 85th minute, replacing Nicolas Jackson, and similarly failed to alter the game’s complexion.

Garnacho’s struggles are compounded by the form of teenager George Hemmings, who has kept the Argentine out of Villa’s starting XI across all three Premier League fixtures so far this season. Emery, speaking after the Hull draw, made clear that Hemmings has already earned his place in the top flight while Garnacho is still adapting.

“George, he worked last year the whole year with us and played minutes. He is performing fantastic and getting better,” Emery said. “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.”

Garnacho departed Manchester United last summer after 144 first-team appearances and 26 goals for the club, joining Chelsea in a £40 million deal. A difficult debut season at Stamford Bridge prompted the Blues to allow him to move on, with Villa securing his services ahead of the current campaign.

With Villa yet to win in three attempts and their record signing still searching for his best form, Emery faces an early test of how quickly he can integrate a player who has struggled to hit the ground running at two clubs in successive seasons.