Aston Villa youth prospect George Hemmings and a circular inset of Aston Villa manager Unai Emery

George Hemmings and Unai EmeryImago

Aston Villa circumstances should force Unai Emery rethink on George Hemmings

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Published on:

21 Jul 2026, 12:45 pm

Aston Villa's transfer window has been more frustrating than Unai Emery will have envisioned.

After finishing fourth in the Premier League and winning the Europa League last season, there was plenty of optimism at Villa Park.

Then, some all-too familiar realities surrounding Villa's toeing of the line with financial parameters brought the mood crashing down a little.

It has already led to Youri Tielemans being sold to Manchester United, and Morgan Rogers is closing on a painful £117million exit to Chelsea.

Lewis Dobbin's sale to Southampton and Lucas Digne's expected departure to Paris Saint-Germain will balance the books further.

But there is one rethink with youth gem George Hemmings that Emery simply has to consider now.

Unai Emery should come up with a new George Hemmings plan

Villa's midfield was a problem last season, with injuries mounting.

It is an area that is still causing headaches, with Tielemans gone, and Amadou Onana now seriously injured.

Boubacar Kamara is also working his way back from a long-term knee injury.

Villa have, of course, added Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes to their ranks, while Joao Palhinha has been linked with a switch to Villa Park.

But Emery has another squad solution staring him in the face in the form of 19-year-old youth gem Hemmings.

Earlier this month, the Athletic reported that Hemmings is not for sale but could leave on loan amid interest from Championship clubs.

However, with the issues Emery has had in his engine room, it stands to reason that Hemmings should be given a chance to prove he can make his mark in B6 this season.

Or at least perhaps any loan being sanctioned should wait until January when the situation may have eased a little.

But, for now, why not look to promote from within and give one of Villa's academy stars a shot?

Three things still on Unai Emery's wish list at Aston Villa this transfer window

What's the latest with Aston Villa's other youth talents?

Villa's realities with financial parameters has seen the Villans become open to player sales from their academy.

Indeed, Sil Swinkels and Louie Barry were sold to Sheffield Wednesday, while Ben Broggio, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba and Josh Feeney could be allowed to leave.

Villa News sources also stated how Rory Wilson may be allowed to leave Villa on loan this summer.

More business could be done with League One Wednesday too, with attacking midfielder Tommi O’Reilly potentially in line for a loan to the Owls.

Paris Saint-Germain Football Club