Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has publicly reaffirmed his commitment to helping Jadon Sancho regain his top form, dismissing any suggestion the club might cut short the winger's loan spell in January.
Emery's Challenge: Unlocking Sancho's Potential
The 25-year-old Manchester United loanee has experienced a difficult start to life at Villa Park. Since his dramatic deadline-day arrival, Sancho is yet to start a Premier League match under Emery and has not scored for his new club. His contributions have been limited to substitute appearances and starts in the Europa League, where he has begun Villa's last four fixtures but is still awaiting his first assist.
Despite the underwhelming statistics, Emery sees clear potential. He pointed to Sancho's impactful cameo against Arsenal a fortnight ago, where the player's skill kept a move alive in the build-up to Emi Buendía's late winning goal, as evidence of his underlying quality.
The Manager's Vote of Confidence
Ahead of Villa's Premier League clash with Sancho's parent club Manchester United – a match the loanee is ineligible to play – Emery made his position unequivocal. "Jadon is still being young," the Villa boss stated. "He has had an amazing career and is now in a moment where he needs help to recover his best performance."
Emery framed the situation as a shared objective, saying, "I have this challenge with him. He has this challenge with me as well." He acknowledged that Sancho is not currently playing the minutes his talent warrants but expressed firm belief in a turnaround. "But in the second part of the season, I believe in him," Emery added, confirming the player is being demanding of himself to hit peak form.
Looking Ahead: The January Window and Beyond
With the January transfer window fast approaching, speculation had mounted that Villa might consider ending Sancho's loan to free up squad space. Emery's comments have firmly shut down that narrative, instead outlining a plan for the winger's integration.
The manager indicated that Sancho's next opportunity will come in the first match after the festive period, stating, "The first match back he will play is against Chelsea." This public declaration serves as both a show of faith and a clear roadmap for the player's immediate future at the club.
Villa's decision to persist with Sancho comes as the team enjoys a spectacular run of form, having won 15 of their last 17 matches. This includes a club-record six consecutive league victories, propelling them to third in the table. Their next challenge is a historical bogey team; Manchester United have beaten Villa 41 times in the Premier League, their second-highest tally against any opponent.
Emery, who regularly discusses historical context with his squad, acknowledged the daunting task but focused on current momentum and the powerful connection with fans at Villa Park as key motivations for Sunday's match. For Jadon Sancho, his motivation will be to repay his manager's faith when his next chance arrives against Chelsea.
