Jadon Sancho has opened up about the significant differences he's experiencing at Aston Villa compared to his challenging period at Manchester United, attributing his gradual return to form to the unwavering support of manager Unai Emery.
A Crucial Goal in Istanbul
The 25-year-old winger marked a pivotal moment in his loan spell by scoring his first goal for Aston Villa during their Europa League clash against Fenerbahce in Turkey. Sancho's well-timed header, assisted by Matty Cash, found its way past former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, securing a vital victory for the Midlands club.
Finding Confidence Under Emery's Guidance
In a post-match interview with TNT Sports, Sancho revealed how Emery's approach has been instrumental in rebuilding his confidence. "He just keeps on telling me to be positive every time I play," Sancho explained. "It's nice to have a manager that backs you and obviously believes in you. Every opportunity I get I'm going to try and do 100 per cent and hopefully I can deliver goals more."
The England international acknowledged that both the manager and his teammates are playing crucial roles in his journey back to peak performance. "Obviously the manager and the team are helping me to get to my best," he added. "Honestly, I know I can do a lot more. I'm very hard on myself in that aspect. But again I'm very grateful that I got my first goal for Aston Villa and I hope it continues."
From Manchester United Struggles to Villa Promise
Sancho's move to Villa Park came after a difficult period that included a loan spell at Chelsea last season, where he made 31 Premier League appearances and scored three goals. Despite helping Chelsea secure Champions League qualification, a permanent departure from Manchester United only materialised at the very end of the summer transfer window, with Villa securing his services on deadline day in September.
Since arriving at Villa, Sancho has started just two league matches and had been waiting for his first goal until Thursday night's breakthrough in Istanbul. His comments suggest a marked improvement in his overall experience compared to his time at Old Trafford, where he faced considerable challenges in establishing himself consistently.
Villa's Ambitious Season Ahead
When questioned about Aston Villa's prospects for silverware this season, Sancho adopted a measured approach. "We're doing well in the league and we're doing well in the Europa League," he observed. "But we've got to take it game by game, you can never get too ahead of yourself. Fenerbahce were a hard opponent today, we knew the crowd were going to be with them. It was a tough environment but we stuck to the game plan and got the three points in the end."
Sancho's positive assessment of Villa's current trajectory reflects growing optimism around the club's capabilities under Emery's leadership. The manager's personal investment in Sancho's development appears to be creating an environment where the talented winger can gradually rediscover the form that once made him one of European football's most exciting prospects.
