Aston Villa fans have made their feelings clear on loan signing Marco Asensio following Unai Emery‘s side’s crucial 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday evening. The Villans needed a win to keep up their hopes of Champions League football after Manchester City had shockingly dropped points against Southampton earlier in the day.
Ollie Watkins’ first-half strike was enough to ensure that the three points came back to Villa Park despite Morgan Rogers’ late red card. Asensio was named in the starting XI at the Vitality Stadium, and his performance has left fans unequivocally clear on what they believe the Spaniard’s future at the club should be.
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Villa Fans Express Thoughts on Asensio’s Future
The club do not have an option to buy the loan player
Asensio was brought into the fold in the Midlands towards the end of the January transfer window, joining Marcus Rashford as one of two high-profile loan additions to help Emery’s men in both European and domestic competitions. The playmaker made an electric start to life at his new club, frequently grabbing either a goal or an assist while impressing those behind the scenes at Villa Park.
Though his initial showings were often coming off the bench, the 29-year-old was still making headlines with his performances, as he managed seven goal contributions in his first eight appearances of his loan deal in all competitions. However, with his last goal and assist coming back in the 3-0 win over Brighton at the start of April, fans have come to the conclusion that the Spaniard is not having the same impact, particularly when he is chosen from the start.
Asensio offered little of note in the 77 minutes he featured in against the Cherries before John McGinn replaced him, and several supporters have now made their feelings clear about the former Real Madrid star. One stated that: “Asensio started so well but it was sub appearances. When he starts he never gets any time and space. Honestly if it’s at the cost of Rogers being central I don’t want him.”
Another added a similar sentiment about the Champions League winner playing centrally, adding: “Asensio ghosts in the middle too, don’t understand why he can’t go out wide,” while a third said: “Not sure what’s happened with Asensio, other than Rashford not playing wide on the left. Feels the game is just too fast for him, where previously he was in the key to how we used the space.”
Asensio was also labelled as “a passenger,” while others questioned whether or not he appeared for the second half, such was his anonymous display.
Despite the fact that the general consensus among fans is that the attacking midfielder has lost his way, it does appear likely that Villa will still look to make the move permanent, with a fee of just £12.5 million being suggested as a potential price tag.
