George Hemmings has made an emphatic case to be part of Unai Emery's first-team plans for the new campaign, with the 19-year-old scoring in pre-season friendlies and looking increasingly comfortable in a key attacking role. Having featured in all three of Aston Villa's opening summer matches against Walsall, FC Porto and Real Sociedad, Hemmings has shown he may be the answer to replacing Jacob Ramsey without the club needing to enter the transfer market.
Hemmings opened his account with a neat left-footed finish in the 2-1 win over Walsall, then added a second goal in three appearances against Real Sociedad, sweeping the ball in off the far post to beat goalkeeper Alex Remiro. The goals have been accompanied by performances that suggest maturity beyond his years, building on the promise he showed during last summer's tour when he was still only 18.
Positional tweak unlocks Hemmings' potential
A key factor in Hemmings' improved displays is a positional change. Unlike last summer, he has been operating as the left-sided No. 10, a role that has become increasingly important in Emery's system. That position was previously occupied by Jacob Ramsey, who joined Newcastle United in a £39 million deal last year, and more recently Morgan Rogers, who moved to Chelsea for £117 million earlier in this transfer window.
The role appears to suit Hemmings' natural instincts perfectly. It gives him the freedom to express himself without the constant fear of making mistakes, a luxury not often afforded to players operating in the double pivot. In his first senior start for Villa, against RB Salzburg last January, Hemmings was substituted at half-time after struggling to impose himself. However, he appears to have grown from that experience, and Emery may have concluded that a more advanced role is better suited to the youngster at this stage of his development.
Physical readiness and a growing reputation
Even 12 months ago, Hemmings looked physically ready for senior football despite playing against lower-tier opposition like Walsall and Hansa Rostock. That impression was reinforced when he more than held his own during Villa's pre-season trip to Marseille, a typically robust and physical friendly.
Comfortable in possession, Hemmings constantly demands the ball, whether receiving it in tight spaces or finding pockets to bypass the opposition press. His work rate has also impressed Emery over the past year. He tracks runners diligently, provides valuable cover for his full-backs and positions himself intelligently when Villa are out of possession. These attributes, combined with his technical quality, make him a well-rounded option for the No. 10 berth.
From Nottingham Forest to Villa Park
Hemmings' journey to this point has been rapid. He joined Villa from Nottingham Forest in January 2024 and signed his first professional contract three months later. An England youth international, he featured in every game of Villa's UEFA Youth League campaign in 2024/25, which ended in the round of 16 against eventual champions Barcelona.
His progress was rewarded with a new long-term contract in May 2025, just over a year after penning his first professional deal in April 2024. That commitment from the club underlines their belief that Hemmings can develop into a first-team regular.
Will Hemmings break into the first team?
With the start of the Premier League season approaching, Hemmings has given Emery a genuine selection dilemma. His pre-season performances have been impossible to ignore, and the £156 million combined departure of Ramsey and Rogers has left a glaring void in the attacking midfield area. While Villa could still bring in a new signing, Hemmings is proving that the answer might already be within the squad.
His ability to score, press, and link play has stood out in every friendly, and the positional tweak has seemingly unlocked his full potential. The coming weeks will reveal whether Emery trusts him with a starting role or continues to ease him in gradually. For now, Hemmings has done everything asked of him and more, making him one of the most talked-about youngsters in Villa's pre-season.
