Aston Villa supporters were left wanting more from their side’s Premier League curtain-raiser.
Both neutrals and home fans would have hoped for greater attacking spark against Newcastle United on Saturday, yet Villa managed just three shots at Nick Pope, while the Magpies peppered Marco Bizot’s goal with 16 attempts.
Ezri Konsa’s red card with 24 minutes remaining hardly helped matters, and a 0-0 draw was ultimately welcomed with some relief by the final whistle.
Even so, Emery’s men could soon be boosted by fresh arrivals to lift the excitement levels — including a potential £13m reunion with a player who once lit up Villa Park.
Villa eyeing £13m return for creative star
Evan Guessand may well believe he can grow into a reliable scorer in claret and blue, though Villa’s search for attacking quality continues.
Signed for £30m, the former OGC Nice striker remained unused against Eddie Howe’s side, but his chance should come if Villa’s struggles in front of goal persist. His job could be made far easier if Marco Asensio were to link up alongside him.
According to Caught Offside, the club are on the verge of re-signing the Spanish midfielder for £13m.
The report claims that fee will satisfy his Ligue 1 employers, with a three-year deal already lined up to bring him back to the Midlands on a permanent basis. With Luis Enrique overlooking him in Paris, a return to Villa feels logical, especially with rival interest from Besiktas unlikely to match the Premier League lure.
How Asensio could reignite Watkins
This deal looks perfect for all involved, particularly Ollie Watkins, who struggled to impose himself against Newcastle and mustered just one attempt.
The ex-Brentford forward has notched an impressive 87 goals for Villa overall, including 17 strikes and 14 assists last term — though he still hit rough patches along the way.
Such are his high standards now that 17 was viewed as underwhelming, considering he smashed a career-best 27 goals in 2023/24.
To get him back to those heights, Asensio will need to recapture the flair that defined his earlier Villa stint. On loan, he delivered eight goals and an assist in only 21 games, suggesting plenty more end product could be unlocked with a longer stay.
Back in Spain and France, away from his Real Madrid peak, Asensio showed his playmaking ability with 15 assists in just 37 Espanyol outings. Even when scoring more frequently in Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti still called him a “creator who makes the difference,” highlighting the nine big chances he fashioned in his final La Liga season despite limited minutes.
If that inventive side shines through at Villa Park, Watkins could thrive once more — with pundit Matthew Upson branding Asensio a “world-class” talent who might prove the missing spark in Emery’s attack.
