Unai Emery tells Ibrahim Mbaye to be patient over Aston Villa playing time

Unai Emery has urged Ibrahim Mbaye to be patient as the Senegal winger waits for his first appearance for Aston Villa since joining the club for €55 million.

Mbaye, 18, has not played a single minute for Villa since completing his move from Paris Saint-Germain. The teenager has been named among the substitutes during the opening three matches of the season but has yet to make his debut.

Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest, Emery explained why Mbaye has not been introduced to the team despite Aston Villa’s difficult start to the campaign.

The Villa manager said the Senegal international is still adapting to his new surroundings and learning how to operate within the team’s structure.

“He’s gradually getting to know us and integrating better and better into our structure. He’s in the middle of a process. He needs to be patient, get playing time, demonstrate his qualities to help us, and work with a collective and tactical mindset as we build the team ,” emphasized the former PSG and Arsenal coach.

Mbaye’s absence from the pitch has attracted attention because of the size of his transfer fee and Aston Villa’s slow beginning to the season.

However, Emery’s comments suggest that the club’s decision to leave the youngster out so far is part of a gradual integration process rather than a reflection of his ability.

The Spanish manager wants Mbaye to become increasingly familiar with Villa’s way of playing before giving him regular opportunities in the first team.

For the young winger, that means continuing to train, adapting to the team’s tactical demands and showing the qualities that convinced Aston Villa to invest €55 million in him.

Mbaye has now spent the first three league matches on the substitutes’ bench without being called upon, but his wait could soon be over.

The Senegalese player could be handed his first opportunity when Aston Villa face Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.

That would give Mbaye the chance to begin showing what he can offer following his move from Paris Saint-Germain, while also allowing Emery to assess him in competitive action.

For now, however, the message from the Villa manager is clear. Mbaye must remain patient as he continues to settle into his new club.

The teenager’s first-team opportunity could come soon, with Saturday’s match against Forest potentially providing the next stage in his adaptation to life at Aston Villa.