Unai Emery takes Jadon Sancho down memory lane to help winger spark for Aston Villa

Sancho joined from Manchester United at the start of September but is yet to spark despite being handed starts in two of the last three Premier League matches.

The 25-year-old will get another chance to impress in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at Tottenham, with Emery still confident he can still get back to the heights which convinced Manchester United to sign him from Dortmund for £73million in 2021.

Emery even believes Sancho can put himself back in the England reckoning with a strong second half of the season.

He said: “I am positive with him in his expectation for his performance to get progressively better. 

“Then, of course, he can come back (to the national team) because he has the qualities, in case he can get the same level he had in Dortmund.

“Sometimes we are watching some highlights of him and sharing with him his best moments in his career. 

“He is still young, 25 years old. He is trying to get it and we are trying to help and support him. Now we have four or five months to get it, to strongly focus to get it.”

Sancho’s best performance came as a substitute in last month’s 2-1 win at Chelsea. He was then handed his first Premier League starts for Villa at Arsenal and Crystal Palace but was subbed off on both occasions without making an impact.

Emery has been pleased with the player’s attitude and willingness to learn.

He continued: “My only objective with him is to exploit his best and he is in this process. 

“Until now he didn’t exploit his best but Saturday is another opportunity. 

“His commitment is like I need and how he is focusing his progression as well is like I want. After it? Keep going, keep going, keep going.”

Emery hopes midfielders Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley, both currently sidelined with injury, could be back in training “two to three weeks” from now.