What is happening with Alejandro Garnacho at Aston Villa?

Alejandro Garnacho’s early stint at Aston Villa has been uneven, but the club believes he’s beginning to progress. The 22-year-old scored in both friendlies during the international break—first in a behind-closed-doors 1-0 win over Southampton and then in a 3-1 victory at Sevilla—prompting an “ready now” Instagram caption. Villa sources say his fitness and confidence were severely low after his July move from Chelsea, partly due to off-pitch challenges. The Athletic reports Villa agreed an initial loan from Chelsea with a conditional obligation tied to appearances, with the overall package potentially reaching £42.5 million.