In the competitive landscape of modern football, where Aston Villa has established itself as a formidable European side under the guidance of Unai Emery, breaking into the first-team squad from the academy has become a significant challenge. While Lamare Bogarde, aged 22, stands as the sole success story in recent years with 43 appearances after loan spells at Bristol Rovers, a new talent is now emerging to capture attention: George Hemmings.
A Rising Star in Villa's Midfield
At just 18 years and ten months old, Hemmings has made history as the youngest player to be handed a start by Emery since the manager took charge three years ago. This milestone came in a crucial Europa League match against RB Salzburg, where Villa needed a victory to secure a top-two finish in the league phase, ensuring three home second-legs on their path to a potential final. Entrusting a teenager with such a high-stakes game underscores the immense faith the coaching staff places in his abilities.
Key Attributes and Performance
Villa's midfield strategy often relies on press-resistant players who can hold their own physically, a trait Emery values highly when opponents deploy man-to-man defences. In his 45-minute appearance against Salzburg, Hemmings demonstrated this by winning four duels, the highest of any player on the pitch. Despite his youth, he possesses the stature of a Premier League midfielder at 5'10", enabling him to battle effectively and drive forward with both pace and power.
A teammate of Hemmings shared insights into his character, stating, "George is a very talented player, humble and hard-working. He's not fazed by any occasion." This composure has been evident in his performances, including a notable 81-minute outing against Marseille in a pre-season friendly, where he faced established internationals like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adrien Rabiot, handling the pressure with expertise.
Journey to the First Team
Hemmings officially joined Aston Villa in January 2024 from Nottingham Forest, a club reportedly reluctant to let him leave. After excelling in Villa's under-18s, he became a key figure for the under-21s, helping them reach the knockout rounds of the UEFA Youth League. The summer of 2025 marked his introduction to senior football, with appearances in pre-season friendlies against teams like Walsall, Hansa Rostock, AS Roma, and Marseille.
His professional debut came on December 30th in a Premier League match away at league leaders Arsenal, followed by a Villa Park outing against Everton two-and-a-half weeks later. Impressively, he has yet to misplace any of his 17 passes attempted in the league. Hemmings also made his European debut in a tense match against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, setting the stage for his first professional start against Salzburg.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
In the Salzburg game, Hemmings was substituted at half-time with Villa trailing 1-0, struggling to progress out of their own half. However, this was partly due to experienced centre-backs Tyrone Mings and Victor Lindelof being suffocated by the opposition press, often playing him into difficult situations. The second half saw fellow academy players Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba and Kadan Young combine for an 87th-minute winner, highlighting the depth of Villa's youth talent.
With a midfield injury crisis sidelining key players like Youri Tielemans and John McGinn for an extended period, Hemmings is likely to receive more opportunities to learn and play. Options in the middle include Amadou Onana, Lamare Bogarde, and Douglas Luiz, who rejoined the club recently and is set for his second debut against Brentford. Additionally, Ross Barkley is returning to training after being unavailable since November.
Avoiding defeat in the upcoming match against Brentford could see Villa climb to second in the league, pending Manchester City's results. As the season progresses, George Hemmings' development will be closely watched, with his humble attitude and hard-working ethos positioning him as a promising asset for Aston Villa's future.
