Spanish international Marco Asensio has spoken candidly about his affection for Aston Villa and manager Unai Emery, while explaining the circumstances that led to his summer departure from the Premier League club.
A Happy Half-Season in Birmingham
In an exclusive interview with Spanish publication Marca, the attacking midfielder reflected on his productive loan spell at Villa Park during the second half of the 2024/25 campaign. Asensio scored eight goals in 21 appearances, playing a key role as Villa secured a fifth-place Premier League finish and made a memorable run to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
The 29-year-old, formerly of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, described himself as "very happy" during his time in England. He specifically praised the tactical environment created by Unai Emery, which allowed him to flourish in his preferred central role.
Emery's Influence and the Missed Permanent Deal
Asensio reserved significant praise for the Villa boss, highlighting the detail-oriented approach that has become Emery's trademark. "He's an incredible coach, who pays attention to every detail and, personally, is very close to the players," Asensio stated.
This mutual admiration was no secret. Villa's president of football operations, Monchi, previously confirmed that Emery was the driving force behind the initial loan move, having long admired Asensio's profile as a creative number ten.
Despite this successful partnership and Villa's clear desire to make the move permanent, a deal could not be agreed upon when the transfer window opened. Instead, Asensio completed a €8.5 million move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce on deadline day, ending hopes of a swift return to the West Midlands.
New Beginnings in Turkey and Looking Ahead
The switch to Istanbul has reignited Asensio's career. He has found the consistent playing time he craved, netting six goals and providing two assists in his first 14 Super Lig outings. His form has been instrumental for Fenerbahce, who sit just one point behind arch-rivals Galatasaray at the top of the table.
Asensio credits his Villa stint with helping him rediscover his best form. "Having played in the Premier League and regaining my feel for my natural position is also important," he explained. "Perhaps that's what's been missing in my career: consistency in that number 10 or central midfield role. I think that's where I can reach my full potential."
While his immediate future lies in Turkey, Asensio's glowing review of his time under Unai Emery at Aston Villa will inevitably fuel speculation among fans about a potential future reunion, should circumstances ever align again.
