Aston Villa is reaping all the goods from their loan deals for Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford in January.
Who would have thoughts that Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford will not only line up on the same team but also light up venues with what is now becoming an unreal chemistry.
Two months into their stint at Aston Villa, the duo have combined for eleven goals across all competitions, with Marcus Rashford’s all four assists leading to goals for Marco Asensio.
Former Real Madrid man, Asensio has already scored as many Villa goals as he did in over 40 games for PSG Paris Saint-Germain, the club who released him on loan in the winter window, due to poor fitness and him being surplus to requirements.
Similarly, Rashford had become a shadow of his tenacious past self, and Ruben Amorim didn’t bat a eye lid while sanctioning his temporary departure from Old Trafford. The controversy surrounding the Mancunian helped made the decision easier.
The duo are now driving Aston Villa to heights with unreal chemistry, with the Spaniard, Marco Asensio being more at the heart of the good fortunes in the Villa Park since their arrival.
Aston Villa; the Winner in Marco and Marcus Rebirth Stories
In the winter window, Aston Villa let go of three players, Jhon Duran, Diego Carlos and Moussa Diaby for a combined fee of €200 million.
Although these were all great squad players that contribute to the club’s performances, they were not really sales of significant consequences, yet, Villa redeemed these departures with even better replacements.
Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford, and a few others were signed by Unai Emery, with the former two arriving on loan deals from PSG and Manchester United respectively.
Realistically, not much was expected of the duo, given their struggles at the stage of the season and for a fact that they had not played much minutes for their respective clubs.
Asensio had to battle with the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Kan-In Lee and a few others for place in a PSG forward that is so competitive, so much that the only striker in the squad, Goncalo Ramos is displaced.
The arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the window was only going to make matter worse. And Asensio, who had been limited to just ten starts across all competitions this season had no better alternative than to find a home elsewhere.
He has scored important goals – his brace to seal a comeback win over Chelsea in February being up there with his best performances so far, while he also bagged double to help the club progress into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Asensio has also scored important goals in Europe. He came off the bench to score the third in a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 doubleheader, adding a brace in a 3-0 home win in the reverse fixture.
For Marcus Rashford, his situation at Manchester United was affecting his hard-earned reputation at the club. Poor performances, controversy, criticism and then the decision of Ruben Amorim to leave him out of the squad, it was all heading south for the 27-year-old.
Leaving on loan was the best solution to his circumstance, as top clubs were also critical about investing in him when it appeared there is no assurance he’ll be able to turn things around for his good.
On his Villa debut, Rashford came off the bench to inspire Villa to a draw against Ipswich Town. His well taken free-kick came crashing off the cross bar, leaving Ollie Watkins with a touch to send the ball home for an equalizer.
Off the bench, he set up Marco Asensio twice to help Villa overcome Chelsea 2-1 in the Villa Park, earning their first Premier League home win over the Blues in what was Villa’s first home win over the Londoners since 2021.
Since his arrival at Villa, no player has created more Premier League big chances, while he also ranks high for successful take-ons and duels.
Two months on, the duo have become really important for Aston Villa, leading the club to their first UEFA Champions League quarter final appearance since 42 years ago in 1983, while also picking up a ticket to the Emirates FA Cup last eight.
Speaking in a recent interview, Aston Villa captain John McGinn stress the importance of keeping the two happy. And maybe that has been their secret at the Villa Park, because they completely changed the narratives about their seasons on the go.
“We want them to be happy again. And every day that you see them, they have a smile on their face. That’s when you know footballers are happy and at their best.” said McGinn.
Marcus Rashford has also earned international recognition, receiving call up for England’s squad for the March break, after being left out in recent time. Although Asensio was overlooked by Spain this time, he could be back with Spain if he continues on current form.
It has become a mutualistic relationship, and with Villa now set to take on PSG for a place in the Champions League semi finals, Unai Emery will be thankful he has his own attacking powers in Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford, and will even be happier as he’ll be able field Asensio against his parent club.
The player, who will have a lot to prove against Luis Enrique’s charge will be aware that PSG’s win in this competition is not his, so he’ll be looking to dealt a potential blow to the cause of Les Parisiens, who still search for their first UCL title.
Rashford literally get one over Manchester United as he is now able to play in the Champions League, a competition higher than the one which United plays. Yet, succeeding will bring more joy, and even though Villa may not go all the way, doing better than the Red Devils will be enough a consolation.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
