Tips

News

Predictions

Blogs

Videos

Quizzes

Betting Sites

Is Marco Asensio The Answer To Villa’s Problems
Blogs

Is Marco Asensio The Answer To Villa’s Problems

Is Marco Asensio The Answer To Villa’s Problems

You don’t need to be a fan of Aston Villa to see the immediate impact that new loan signing Marco Asensio has had to their results and style of play. The PSG and former Real Madrid winger joined the Villans on loan in the January window due to a lack of playing time at his parent club but has arrived in the premier league with a bang, linking up with other loanee Marcus Rashford to open his villa account with 2 vital goals to secure a comeback victory against Chelsea in February.

The Asensio Impact

As previously mentioned, Asensio introduced himself properly to Villa in their 2-1 home victory against Chelsea netting a brace in the second half to secure a vital 3 points in Villa's chase to secure european football for the third season running. However he had previously shone during his debut in the FA Cup versus Tottenham, coming on as a substitute and immediately showing his class and calibre, very nearly setting up a goal for Jacob Ramsey and linking up with Morgan Rogers to run rings around the Spurs right hand side.

Since joining Villa, the Spaniard has recorded 5 goals in 7 matches across all competitions securing vital wins against Chelsea, Cardiff City and Club Brugge.

European Pedigree

Asensio has 70 appearances in the Champions League, the most of any Villa player ever since the European Cup was rebranded to the competition we know today. The Spaniard has won the competition 3 times with Real Madrid, scoring in the 2017 Final vs Juventus to put the nail in the coffin, securing a 4-1 win and Real's 11th Champions League title. It didn’t take long for Asensio to show this at Villa, slotting home a penalty in the dying minutes to give Villa a comfortable lead going into the home leg at Villa Park, extending Villas hopes of reaching the quarter finals where they are set to face newly confirmed opponents PSG where unlike a tie between two english clubs, Asensio will be able to play against his parent club.

Versatility and Adaptability

Throughout his career, Asensio has had an array of different managers playing the majority of his career so far under the legendary Zinedine Zidane whilst at Real Madrid. During his career he has had to adapt and learn a variety of new systems and styles of play, showing his quality by being capable of adapting and shining under each of these managers providing output and key moments for each manager. Emery’s system often consists of a 4-2-3-1, with both fullbacks overlapping when attacking and a defensive midfielder dropping into a back 3 allowing free flowing attacking play, with fullbacks and wingers linking up to create crossing opportunities, Asensio fits this style perfectly as he is capable of playing as a winger, number 10 and shadow striker, the Emery system provides him with an abundance of opportunities to create an attacking output, hence his 5 contributions in 7 appearances.

Bundles of Experience and Leadership Qualities

With experience comes improvement and in the case of Asensio this has led to his developing a brilliant winning mentality which I have no doubt will take him far within the ranks of Villas Players during his loan. There have already been talks between Monchi of Aston Villa and PSG to make the Asensio deal permanent with a fee in the range of €15 million being spoken about. Due to his experience, this signing could be crucial for Villa as the team largely consists of players fairly new to European football and the introduction of Asensio could help massively in terms of improving the mentality of Emery’s squad.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Jake Edwards

Content Writer

Videos
See more
From Non-League to the AFCON Final - The Story of Kwesi Appiah
Listen to our full podcast with Kwesi Appiah as he discusses his sensational rise from non-league all the way to starting in the AFCON final.
Is it time for Luton Town to make THE DECISION?!
Watch out latest edition of EFL Hot Takes as the lads give their opinion on the Rob Edwards situation at Luton Town.
WHO is in our Championship TEAM OF THE SEASON so far?!
Find out how we would put in our Championship Team of the Season so far on YouTube as we approach the busy period.

Join our newsletter

Become a part of our community and never miss an update from Football Park.