The 38-cap international is believed to be unwanted at his current side
Aston Villa have endured one of their trickiest transfer windows since returning to the Premier League in 2019. Last season was remarkable for the Villans, who secured sixth place in the league to qualify for Europe, reached the Champions League quarter-final in their first appearance in the competition since 1983, and also advanced to the FA Cup semi-final.
It was a campaign filled with highs and one of the club’s most memorable in decades. Yet despite the high-profile January sale of Jhon Duran, Villa’s summer has been shaped by the need to stay within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations. Several players had to be sold to raise funds, most notably Jacob Ramsey’s move to Newcastle, which paved the way for the capture of Evann Guessand from Nice.
Still, there is reason for optimism. Villa will embark on another European journey—this time in the Europa League—with tests against Fenerbahçe, Feyenoord, Basel and Bologna awaiting. On top of that, they have managed to keep key stars such as Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins. Emery has had limited money to strengthen, but there is still thought to be room for one final marquee addition before deadline day—and it’s a player the Spaniard knows well.
Aston Villa line up Marco Asensio return
Birmingham World understands Villa are moving closer to reuniting with Marco Asensio after his standout loan spell last spring. Emery is said to be determined to bring the Spaniard back, having been blown away by his influence on the squad and supporters alike. Asensio, a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid and capped 38 times for Spain, scored eight goals in his opening 10 appearances for Villa—quickly outshining his overall record at Paris Saint-Germain.
Earlier this summer, Asensio looked set to sign for Villa’s Europa League rivals Fenerbahce, with talks at an advanced stage. But that switch fell apart following Jose Mourinho’s surprise dismissal just weeks into the new season, leaving the door open for Villa to pounce.
Why Marco Asensio ticks every box for Villa
Asensio’s arrival in January, alongside Marcus Rashford, gave Villa an incredible boost. He immediately looked comfortable in the Premier League and became a key figure in the club’s charge up the table. When he joined, Villa sat ninth with 38 points from 25 games—seven adrift of fifth-placed Bournemouth and seemingly out of the European race. By the final whistle of the campaign, they had 66 points, collecting 28 from their final 13 matches, sealing sixth place and only missing the Champions League on goal difference.
Operating centrally, Asensio brought out the best in teammates such as Morgan Rogers, who went on to claim the Young Player of the Season award from the wing.
Valued at just £13m, the Spaniard represents a low-cost, high-quality option. While his age may not perfectly fit the club’s PSR model in terms of resale potential, his ability to unlock defences and provide creativity could prove decisive, especially after Villa’s sluggish start to the season.
