Aston Villa's Jadon Sancho: A Work in Progress?

Jadon Sancho's future at Villa hinges on upcoming matches

Jadon Sancho's Aston Villa start has been rocky. With crucial matches approaching, can he prove himself to Unai Emery and stake a claim for a starting spot?

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is taking a long-term view of Jadon Sancho's conditioning...

Jadon Sancho's start to the season has been disappointing, raising concerns about his future in the Premier League. The winger's struggles have left many questioning whether he can turn things around.

Sancho's loan move to Aston Villa was expected to spark a resurgence in form, similar to Marcus Rashford's time at Barcelona. However, that hasn't been the case so far, and Sancho faces a crucial period to prove himself.

Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Jadon Sancho from Manchester United.

The England international joins Villa on a season-long loan.

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 1, 2025

Aston Villa gave Jadon Sancho a lifeline in the summer, offering him a fresh start when his Manchester United career seemed over. With limited options, Sancho joined Villa late in the transfer window.

Partnering with Unai Emery presented a valuable chance for Sancho to prove himself at the top level. However, the early signs have been underwhelming, and sources indicate he's entering a tough period, despite being given a major opportunity in his last appearance.

Jadon Sancho's second Premier League outing for Aston Villa ended in frustration, as the winger was substituted off in the 74th minute after coming on for Emiliano Buendia in the 29th minute during Aston Villa's 1-0 win over Manchester City. Despite Unai Emery's explanation that the substitution was to manage Sancho's fitness, the 25-year-old's reaction suggested he was unhappy with the decision.

A double substitution from The Boss 🔄

🟣 1-0 🔵 || 74' #AVLMCI pic.twitter.com/yY1nx92NAN

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) October 26, 2025

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is taking a long-term view of Jadon Sancho's conditioning, and upcoming matches will provide clarity on his faith in the player. Sancho faces a crucial test as Villa travels to Liverpool this weekend, a fixture that should showcase his abilities.

Sancho's next games against Maccabi Tel Aviv and Bournemouth before the international break could be his chance to secure a starting position. With key players like Emiliano Buendia out injured, Sancho needs to capitalize on his opportunities to prove himself.

Jadon Sancho has had a disappointing start to the season, with his only starts coming in Villa's Carabao Cup defeat to Brentford and the Europa League loss to Go Ahead Eagles.

As the season nears its end, Sancho faces a critical juncture. With his loan deal at Aston Villa expiring, he'll return to Manchester United, where his contract also ends. Although United holds an option to extend, it's unlikely due to his high wages. Unless Sancho shows significant improvement, his career prospects may dwindle.