PSG thrilled to have Asensio back, loanee's return brings joy to the team.

'Delighted he can play' - PSG revel in loanee Asensio's return Image credit, Getty Images Image caption, Marco Asensio netted three goals in the round of 16 aggregate win over Club Brugge Published 9 April 2025 Paris St-Germain are having a season to remember - but understand one of the biggest threats to achieving their ultimate dream may come from a player currently on their roster. Fresh off holding onto the Ligue 1 title, the French outfit welcome Aston Villa in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, facing the unusual situation of facing one of their own in Marco Asensio. The 29-year-old Spanish forward joined Villa on loan from PSG in January and has been a revelation, scoring eight goals and providing one assist in his 11 games for the Villans. Asensio's form has helped Unai Emery's men enjoy a seven-match winning streak, which has secured spots in the FA Cup semi-final and Champions League last eight, and within reach of the Premier League top four. PSG, however, are also flying high and could potentially end the season with four trophies. Still undefeated in their league title triumph, and having clinched the French Supercup, Luis Enrique's side are also in the Coupe de France final in May and are dreaming of winning the Champions League for the first time. With confidence soaring within his own squad, the PSG manager is pleased that Asensio has found a platform to display his talent and welcomed his return to Paris. "I am delighted he can play," said Enrique, who also managed the former Real Madrid player during his time with Spain. "He wasn't getting the game time he wanted here and he had the opportunity to go to Birmingham. It is good that he is playing. "I have shared a lot with him with the national team. He came to the World Cup with me and was very important, and he was important for us last season and at the start of this season. He is a top-class player." But will PSG regret Asensio's departure, especially considering he was part of Real Madrid squads that won the Champions League three times? "He's worked really hard, putting in effort for the team offensively whenever he touches the ball," said Villa team-mate Youri Tielemans. "His first appearance at Villa Park [in the FA Cup victory over Tottenham] was brilliant, he just glided through. He takes responsibility with the ball. Off the pitch, he's really calm, really good, and works really hard. "When you look at him, you don't think he's a hard worker because he's a ball player, but off the ball he does his job really well, and that's what we need from every player." Why Aston Villa are a club transformed - and how good could it get? Published 5 April An obsessive who has lived through tragedy: The man behind PSG's title Published 5 days ago English football fans may be surprised that Asensio is even allowed to feature against PSG, with a law preventing loan players from playing against their parent club introduced in the Premier League back in 2004. But Uefa's rules state that clubs cannot exert "any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match" - meaning PSG's Champions League aspirations could be jeopardized by their own player. Asensio's experience and Champions League pedigree could also play a significant role, having helped Real Madrid secure triumphs in 2017, 2018, and 2022. He made the move in 2023 to Paris, where his career stalled with just seven goals in 47 appearances - even though he won the double of the French league and cup last season. This period of stagnation came after he won 17 trophies at Real - as many as club icon and footballing legend Alfredo di Stefano. Describing Asensio as world-class, former Arsenal and England defender Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live: "He's going to play a big part in the exciting finish to the season they have ahead." The loan players who haunted their parent clubs Published 11 April 2023 Asensio was perhaps destined to be a footballer, as his father named him after legendary Netherlands striker Marco van Basten. But he has carved out an impressive career in his own right. After starting at Mallorca, he joined Real Madrid at 18 in 2014, where, following a loan spell at Espanyol, he also won La Liga three times and four FIFA Club World Cups with the Spanish giants. After seven seasons at the Bernabeu, he made the switch to French giants PSG, helping them to a domestic treble last year. Given his success, it may have seemed odd that Asensio joined a club not vying for a league title or major trophies. However, fellow Spaniard Emery, who also managed Sevilla, Arsenal, and PSG, has been a long-time admirer and played a pivotal role in the loan deal. "Unai has tried to bring Asensio in at least three transfer windows," Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told BBC Sport. "He has always expressed to Unai that he wanted to work with him and develop with him." The clincher for Emery appeared to be the promise of playing Asensio in the number 10 role. "He hasn't played there since Mallorca," added Balague. "At Madrid, he wasn't allowed, so that was the discussion he had with Unai. He was promised the number 10 spot, and you can see the positive results of it." Villa's Belgian international Tielemans added: "The system suits him, to be free around the striker and find spaces - we can locate him through the lines, he's a really good player." Related topics Paris Saint Germain European Football Aston Villa UEFA Champions League Football Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Design, sports, europe, premierleague, BCCsports