From the bank to the spotlight: Marco Asensio hits when it counts. As a Joker, he broke a champions League record-and could soon stay in Birmingham permanently.
Aston Villa is in the quarter -finals of the Champions League – and a man played a decisive part: Marco Asensio. In the sovereign 3-0 win in the round of 16 second leg against FC Brügge, the Spaniard scored two goals and thus secured Villa the ticket for the quarter-finals.
The 29-year-old was not in the starting eleven, but was substituted as a joker-a role in which he always shines with the villans.
Marco Asensio is loaned to Aston Villa
Asensio also hit Bavaria as a joker
With his double pack against Bruges, he became the most successful joker in the history of the competition. No other player scored ten goals from the bank in the Champions League – Asensio is the first to reach this brand.
Already during his time at Real Madrid, Asensio had established himself as a man for the big moments. Especially in the Champions League, he repeatedly demonstrated his qualities as a substitute. His most famous jokertors is also his goal against Bayern Munich in the 2017 quarter -finals.
This pattern continues with Aston Villa. In both duels against Bruges, he was brought late by coach Unai Emery – and scored three goals.
No breakthrough at PSG
Asensio’s career began at Real Madrid, where he celebrated great success but never became an undisputed regular player. With the royal he won the Champions League three times and became Spanish champion three times.
Despite his individual class, he did not manage to permanently set himself in the first eleven and switched to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. There, however, he quickly got on the siding and was usually only used by the bank. In one and a half years at PSG, he only scored six goals.
Does Asensio stay with Aston Villa?
The turn came this winter when Aston Villa hired him on a loan. Asensio blooms again in the English – also because it is used more often on his preferred ten position. His accuracy in crucial moments and his ability to play games from the bank make him such a valuable player for the villans.
The commitment of the Spanish international was part of a upheaval at Villa after Jhon Durán was sold to Dubai for 83 million euros. Together with Marcus Rashford, who was loaned by Manchester United, Asensio should put new impulses on the offensive.
In view of his strong performance, it is hardly surprising that Aston Villa wants to keep the Spaniard beyond the current season and want to tie it in the long term. The striker is currently loan until the summer of 2025. His contract in Paris runs until 2026, but he no longer plays a role in the French plans. PSG is reportedly demanding a transfer fee of around 15 million euros for the offensive player. Villa trainer Unai Emery was impressed by Aensios Development to Birmingham World , but kept covered: “We are very satisfied with him. Whether it stays depends on many factors. “
In the quarter-finals of the premier class there will be a reunion with his still employer Paris Saint-Germain on April 9 (from 9 p.m. in the live ticker).