According to The Athletic, 19-year-old midfielder George Hemmings is considered by Aston Villa internally to be one of the most important young players in their current academy system. Head coach Unai Emery and several academy coaches believe he has the potential to make the breakthrough from the youth team to the first team, which is why the club refused to let him leave easily this summer.

This summer, Villa's management held meetings with representatives of several young players and clearly outlined the club's plans for their future. Only two academy players, 19-year-old Hemmings and 18-year-old winger Bradley Burrows, were genuinely expected to be retained permanently by Villa.

Other young players can leave on permanent transfer or loan. If sold permanently, Villa seeks to retain control mechanisms such as matching rights and buy-back clauses in the deal. The club internally cited the transfer of Jaden Philogene as a reference case. In 2023, Villa sold Philogene to Hull City for £5 million while retaining buy-back and matching rights. Philogene then scored 12 goals in 32 Championship appearances, and when Ipswich offered £18 million, Villa chose to match the offer and, thanks to the previously set 30% sell-on clause, reacquired him for an effective £12.6 million. Six months later, Villa sold him to Ipswich for a fixed transfer fee of £20 million plus £3 million in add-ons.

This summer, Villa has already begun clearing out some young players. In contrast, Emery has given Hemmings and Burrows plenty of opportunities to showcase themselves, with both participating in the first team's Asian pre-season tour. Emery highly appreciates Burrows' pace and direct attacking ability, while Hemmings is widely regarded by Villa internally, as well as by external scouts, academy staff, and agents, as the club's "academy gem."

Hemmings has attracted strong loan interest from three Championship clubs this summer. These teams had been monitoring him since January and hoped Villa would agree to release him in the final stages of the transfer window, believing that a loan would be more beneficial for his development. However, Emery wants to continue giving Hemmings more time to prove himself.

In fact, as early as last summer, Villa's first-team players had already noticed Hemmings' technical ability. Teammates particularly appreciated his composure and game intelligence beyond his years, and he quickly adapted to the higher intensity and technical demands of first-team football.

Hemmings has a quiet, naturally introverted personality but is very confident on the pitch. Other coaches might ask him to be more vocal on the field, but Emery has a different view. He appreciates Hemmings' calm demeanor, believing it demonstrates that young players don't easily lose composure in important situations.

Last season's pre-season away match against Marseille is a typical example. Faced with a high-pressure away environment, Hemmings actively sought the ball from teammates and was willing to receive it under opponent pressure, leaving a deep impression on the coaching staff.

Currently, Hemmings' biggest shift comes in his on-field position. Previously, he primarily played in a double pivot midfield system, receiving and distributing the ball in deeper areas. In a January match against RB Salzburg last season, he made his first official first-team start but did not perform well and was substituted at half-time. Since then, he has increasingly played as a left-sided number 10.

Villa's academy department has been reluctant to restrict Hemmings' position too early. One of his most prominent characteristics is his ability to drive forward after receiving the ball in deeper areas, but the coaching staff believes these abilities can also be utilized closer to the opponent's goal.

For a young player just starting his career, rather than placing Hemmings under the full pressure of a number 6 role, the coaching staff believes it is more beneficial for his development to position him further forward in areas with more space.

This adjustment also showcases Hemmings' technical qualities. He excels at receiving the ball on the half-turn and can link with teammates through intelligent one-touch passing, while also possessing strong ball-carrying ability. Some Villa staff have compared his dribbling style to Jacob Ramsey's.

Knowing he might play in more attacking positions next season, Hemmings focused on improving his performance in the attacking third during the off-season. He recognizes that if he can increase his goals and assists and improve his threat in the final third, Emery, who has frequently converted central midfielders into number 10s, will naturally take notice.

During a 10-day training camp in Oliva Nova, Valencia, Spain, Hemmings specifically practiced shooting with his relatively weaker left foot, including taking shots from the edge of the box with minimal touches.

Physically, he also reduced his body fat percentage by building muscle. The coaching staff believes that a stronger physique will help him better protect possession when driving forward.

These targeted training sessions have already started to pay off. Hemmings has scored 2 goals in pre-season, demonstrating greater composure in the attacking third and improved finishing.

Villa still plans to strengthen their attacking positions, but Hemmings' versatility in being able to play multiple midfield roles appeals to Emery. Some coaches who have worked with him believe that if Hemmings can secure a sustained run of first-team games, he could fully establish himself and officially become a long-term member of Emery's squad.

Villa's decision to retain Hemmings this summer and include him in full first-team pre-season training reflects the club's confidence in him. Now, what this 19-year-old academy midfielder must do is seize the opportunities Emery has given him and take the final step from "academy gem" to established first-team player.

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