The future of Alejandro Garnacho in Aston Villa remains a mystery despite all the current headlines about the Argentine.

Aston Villa is likely to be on the spotlight for everything related to one of their loan signings, Alejandro Garnacho. Every rumors and latest development or even comments from anyone related to him will become the headline and The Lions, including their boss, Unai Emery, will have to deal with it one way or another.

In the midweek, the Argentine winger was given a nod to come off the bench against Viking Stavanger in the last 20 minutes. His appearance soon attracts media and Villa naturally gets the spotlight too, being questioned on his future and so on.

According to the report in Football365, there has been an update on Villa’s decision on Garnacho, which might indicate Emery’s way to deal with him or his issue.

“Aston Villa are now willing to ‘freeze out’ Chelsea loanee Alejandro Garnacho to ‘back out’ of a permanent transfer.”

Has Emery given up on Garnacho?

The update from the management might sound like Aston Villa or in particular, Unai Emery, has begun to lose their patience on the Argentine. His progress has been slow and he has yet been handed over a starter. Garnacho has only played for 60 minutes in total so far.

Nevertheless, it could be meaning something else, or probably something in contrast to what Emery is actually attempting to do with the Madrid-born winger. The Spaniard could be trying to be in control of the situation.

Such statement might insinuate that Emery and Villa will not let themselves become the subject of the media spotlight constantly every time the Argentine is making appearance. The Spanish boos appears to try to protect Garnacho from the noise outside so that he could stay focused on improving himself for the sake of his future and eventually Aston Villa. It might be just Emery’s way to deal with Garnacho’s issue.

He is aware the potential risk in signing him. The conditional option to buy based on his number of appearance which is up to £43m, is in Emery’s mind. Yet, the way he pushed the deal to sign him, despite the doubts around him, and his patience and belief in reviving his career, even see him as a long term solution might mean something. It might signify that he is certain with what he is doing and the 22-year old winger will eventually move permanently.

It can be seen how Emery confidently fielded him in Viking clash and his positive response on his display was after the game albeit briefly.

“Garnacho played 20 minutes and these were his best minutes with us. It is positive.”

Is there still a chance left for Garnacho?

Judging from his 20-minute performance, it can be seen that the Argentine tries to prove his words that he was ready to return. The flashes of his confidence, his pace in the final third shows a glimpse of his attempts to pay back what Emery’s trust on him.

Based on the data in Whoscored, Garnacho made 12 touches in the game and three shots, one of which was on target. He also created six passes. It might still be too early to say but such is a positive progress from the winger whose career in England is considered over. There is still a chance for him to secure a permanent move to Villa Park for sure. His future will all be depending on his grit and Emery’s faith in him.