When Unai Emery initiated his Aston Villa revolution over two years ago, there was always one dream signing he had in mind: Marco Asensio.
Emery had spoken with Asensio extensively during his first season at Villa, in a desperate attempt to add the Spain international to his burgeoning squad.
At that time, Asensio was in the final year of his contract with Real Madrid and it was Paris St-Germain who eventually captured him on a free transfer in July 2023.
Yet Emery has established a reputation for being obsessive in his pursuit of players he believes fit his game model.
When the chance emerged to sign Asensio on loan in January, it was an opportunity Emery was never going to waste again.
During those negotiations, Asensio was assured that he would be a No 10 for Villa and given the licence to play in his preferred position.
So far, the results have been very impressive. Asensio has scored four goals in his last three games and there are already signs of a flourishing partnership with another January signing, Marcus Rashford.
There is one clip of Asensio from Friday’s FA Cup win over Cardiff City which has gone viral, where he exquisitely controls a ball dropping from high above him with his favoured left foot.
Named after the legendary Marco van Basten, he always appears comfortable in possession, eluding opponents with clever turns of speed. A gifted ball-carrier who breaks through lines, he is one of those players who makes team-mates better.
Asensio is feeling settled in his new home. Humble and hard-working, he is flourishing in the ultra-professional environment Emery has created at Bodymoor Heath.
Rashford is clearly developing an understanding with the 29-year-old, contributing three of the assists to Asensio’s four goals.
While Villa’s Premier League season is proving maddeningly unpredictable, they return to Champions League duty this week with their two loan signings acutely aware of these types of nights.
A three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Asensio will provide crucial experience at the business end of the competition. He knows how to win tight matches at this level.
Predictably, there is already a clamour for him to sign permanently. There is no option or obligation in the deal agreed with PSG in January, and Villa probably need to stay in Europe next season to stand any chance of extending his stay.
Emery would clearly love to sign him, and either a high league finish, FA Cup win or – dare you say it – Champions League triumph would boost his chances.
With Villa facing Club Brugge in the round of 16 first leg, that is a dilemma Emery does not need to worry about right now. The only focus will be on Villa producing a vast improvement on their last performance in this beautiful Belgian city.
A 1-0 defeat in November at the group stage was arguably one of Villa’s tamest displays under Emery. The players had to endure a viewing of the match on Monday morning.
It included that remarkable mistake by defender Tyrone Mings, who picked the ball up in his own penalty area to gift Brugge the winning goal from the spot.
With Asensio and Rashford in their forward line, Villa will have that unpredictability and experience.
‘There are no big egos’
John McGinn, the Villa midfielder, said: “They come with a huge reputation. They are hungry and want to succeed, they work hard and that’s all you want as a team-mate.
“There are no big egos. We haven’t seen that yet if there is.
“They have both fitted in well, Marco had a couple of goals at the weekend and I’m hoping one of them falls to the feet of Rashford so he can get off the mark.
“They are two brilliant players and we are delighted they are here.”
