Marco Asensio made an immediate impression at Aston Villa following his loan move from Paris Saint-Germain. The Spanish forward quickly became a fan favorite, showcasing his scoring prowess in the early stages of his tenure. Despite a recent goal drought, Asensio’s contributions have been significant, and his future at the club remains a topic of discussion.
Asensio debuted for Villa in a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round, playing alongside Marcus Rashford. He scored eight goals in his first eight appearances, including notable performances against Chelsea, Cardiff City, and Club Brugge, where he netted braces. However, Asensio has not found the net in his last five matches, despite having several opportunities. His missed penalties in a 3-0 win at Southampton and a one-on-one chance against PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Champions League quarter-final second leg were particularly notable.
Despite these recent struggles, Asensio remains Villa’s fourth-highest scorer this season. His ability to integrate into Unai Emery’s system as a number 10 is highly valued, and the club is considering a permanent move for the player.
Unai Emery said: “When we spoke to him, even before he went to Paris, we spoke with him as well to try to get a challenge here for him in the Premier League and as a number 10 in our structure. He decided in the last transfer window to join us because we planned with him to play in his best position. He has the capacity to score goals in the box. It is fantastic. I am happy with players who joined us in the last window and with some who were not playing with consistency. How they are responding and helping us now.”
Asensio’s potential permanent signing is under consideration, with his role in Emery’s tactical setup being a crucial factor. The club values his contributions beyond just goal-scoring, focusing on his overall fit within the team.
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