What a busy January transfer window it was for Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side added several new players to their squad, improving depth, replacing players who departed the club and, ultimately, looking to strengthen in necessary areas in order to make them a better side, with a big second half of the season coming up.
The Villans are in an excellent position in the Champions League, with a Round of 16 tie on the cards after qualifying in the top eight, an impressive achievement. A top-four finish in the Premier League is also on the cards.
Duran-Villa-Premier-League-Emery
One of their winter signings, Marcus Rashford, will surely be crucial to helping achieve their goals this season.
What Marcus Rashford bring to Villa
Signing Rashford was an incredible coup for the Villans. They brought him in from his boyhood side Manchester United on loan until the end of the season. There is also the option to buy him for £40m included in the deal.
Rashford-Aston-Villa
The 27-year-old has a simply outstanding record for United, despite a tough few months where he was out of the side. In 426 games for the 13-time Premier League champions, he scored 138 goals and grabbed 63 assists.
Rashford has made one appearance in a Villa shirt so far, which was a 24-minute cameo against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. He received a 7/10 rating from John Townley of Birmingham Live, who said he “looked confident on the ball”.
That was clear throughout his debut, such as when he nutmegged Pedro Porro and drove at Spurs' penalty box.
It remains to be seen how Emery will utilise his talented new number nine. Rashford might well be best suited off the left, where he played on his debut, or could also be an option up front as an alternative to Ollie Watkins.
Or, the Spaniard might decide not to pick Rashford, with another new signing also offering a brilliant option. If there is a choice between the two, it might not be the Englishman who gets the nod, ahead of the clash with Ipswich Town.
The alternative starter to Rashford
Another of Villa’s blockbuster additions in January saw them sign Marco Asensio on loan from Paris Saint Germain. The deal for the 29-year-old reportedly does not include an option to buy him at the end of the season.
Marco-Asensio
Just as Rashford did, the former Real Madrid star made his debut against Spurs. Townley gave him an 8/10, writing that the attacking midfielder 'gave the Villa fans something to cheer' with an exciting display of showboating.
The Spaniard’s stats from his first moments in that famous Claret and Blue shirt sum him up as a player in many ways. As per Sofascore, Asensio had 20 touches and completed 100% of his passes and his dribbles. It was a great start to life at Villa Park.
Asensio stats vs. Spurs
Stat
Touches
Pass accuracy
Passes completed
Dribble completion rate
Dribbles completed
Ground duels won
Key passes
Stats from Sofascore
After an impressive debut, it does leave Emery with a big decision. He may well decide to go with his countryman, given the quality he has between the lines, which could help them break down a low block, which Ipswich could look to employ.
Another reason he could start is the fact he is a more natural fit for the right rather than Rashford. This could see Villa set up with Jacob Ramsey on the left, Asensio on the right and Morgan Rogers as the number ten, in behind Watkins who is almost guaranteed to lead the line.
Aston-Villa-Ollie-Watkins-Ipswich
Emery will have plenty of options, but it would not be a surprise to see him pick Asensio over Rashford, largely for the reasons above. His ability in close quarters could be incredibly useful against a side that might sit deep, and he has the ability to unlock a defence.
As football scout Antonio Mango said, Asensio is an “unbelievable player”, and the Villans can enjoy seeing him play week in, week out in that famous Claret and Blue shirt.
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