What is happening with Alejandro Garnacho? Aston Villa winger's future in jeopardy following poor start

Having joined Aston Villa on a loan with a conditional obligation to buy from Chelsea this summer, it appeared that Alejandro Garnacho's long term future would lie in the West Midlands.

Various reports have stated that sources close to the deal insist the 'conditional obligation' is based on appearances and 'easy to achieve'.

Despite this, parallels are already being drawn with the situation of Liverpool's Valencia loanee Harvey Elliott, who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, with a conditional obligation to buy in the contract, had he featured 10 times for the club.

As a result, Elliott featured just nine times across all competitions in an Aston Villa shirt, in what was a high-profile and career stifling season for the 23 year-old.

Former Manchester United winger Garnacho has made just four appearances across all competitions for the Villans thus far - totalling just 42 minutes - and he was left out of Villa's squad for the Premier League trip to Newcastle United altogether.

Unai Emery's decision to snub Garnacho has been particularly surprising, considering that the Argentine had been a long term target for the Villans under the Spaniard stretching back to last summer.

Things did appear to be looking positive during the extended international break, with Garnacho scoring in each of the Villans' friendlies played - against Southampton and Sevilla.

However, the only minutes played by the Argentine following the break have come in the UEFA Champions League, with Garnacho being used as substitute for the injured Ibrahim Mbaye, after all of Emery's winger options had been exhausted.

As a result of this situation, Football Insider have reported that Chelsea sources are "disappointed" with the loan spell so far, with the deal now said to be "in jeopardy".

Garnacho has largely fallen down the pecking order in B6 since his arrival, with Emiliano Buendia, Ibrahim Mbaye and George Hemmings ahead of him off the left, while John McGinn and Alysson are ahead as right wing options.

With Emery boasting a clean bill of health in those areas of the field, it is unlikely that Garnacho will get any substantial game time in the immediate future, which could leave Chelsea with a decision to make.

Following his aforementioned failed loan spell at Villa last season, Liverpool found it difficult to move Elliott on this summer, having to settle for a straight, year-long loan to La Liga.

In an attempt to avoid this, the Blues could look to recall Garnacho in January, though it has been confirmed by numerous outlets that there is no official clause in the contract that would allow either team to end it early.

As a result, a deal would need to be agreed between both parties for the loan to be cancelled, something Liverpool and Aston Villa failed to do for Elliott last term.

This situation could be slightly different, with the Villans having a well-documented, positive relationship with Chelsea, though this does make the current predicament all-the-more confusing.

It remains to be seen quite how Garnacho's time at Aston Villa will develop, however it is difficult to ignore the similarities to that of Elliott last season.

The Argentine will be hoping to win over Villa boss Unai Emery in training and in limited cameos, as he looks to get his career back on track.

Garnacho's next chance of an appearance for Aston Villa comes against Viking FK in the UEFA Champions League tonight, with Emery's team selection set to be telling.