The 19-year-old has started all three of Aston Villa's Premier League matches so far this season, as well as the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, keeping summer arrival Alejandro Garnacho out of the side in the process.
Hemmings almost provided his first Villa assist during the goalless draw at Hull City, pulling the ball back for Emi Buendía, who could only clear the crossbar with his finish, and he also registered the club's first shot on target of the season, forcing a save from Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Asked why Hemmings continues to be preferred over Garnacho, Emery pointed to the midfielder's consistent progress since arriving at the club.
"George, he worked last year the whole year with us and played minutes. He is performing fantastic and getting better," the Villa boss said. "He created one assist for Buendía. He is working in the intensity and kilometres we need.
"He is doing it. I think he is a player now, clearly, to be in the Premier League."
Emery was careful to stress that Garnacho's situation was different, given his recent arrival at the club.
"Then, we have other players who joined who need to adapt to us in training, playing matches, and Garnacho is in this way," he said. "We need their performance to try to add things, working and getting numbers. Garnacho is in this way. How he is responding, George, is really fantastic."
Hemmings, who joined Villa's academy from Nottingham Forest in January 2024 before signing his first professional contract three months later, has been used in a more advanced role this season after previously operating as a central midfielder for the club's youth sides. He has represented England at Under-18 level and was a key figure in Villa's FA Youth Cup-winning side, with academy staff having long earmarked him as a player capable of pushing for first-team involvement.
Garnacho, who joined Villa on a season-long loan from Chelsea in July with an obligation to buy worth a reported £43m, will now have to bide his time as he adapts to Emery's methods, with the Spaniard making clear that opportunities will remain based on form and application in training rather than reputation or transfer fee.
The winger had left Manchester United for Chelsea in a £40m deal last year before struggling to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.