Premier League news: Rashford and Asensio reignite Aston Villa’s season in comeback victory over Chelsea
Loan signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio came to Aston Villa’s rescue on Saturday as Unai Emery’s side claimed a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
The Villans now find themselves only two points adrift of Manchester City in the race for fourth place, albeit having played a game more than the defending champions.
A trip to Crystal Palace is up next, followed by an FA Cup fifth round tie against Cardiff City and the much-anticipated first leg of a Champions League round-of-16 clash with Belgian champions Club Brugge.
Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce analyses the triumph at Villa Park and considers how it might impact the rest of the season.
Loan signings continue to impress
All the plaudits for Saturday’s comeback victory over Chelsea must go towards Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio.
It was their combined presence on the pitch that made the difference against Enzo Maresca’s capable but inconsistent Chelsea team.
Rashford, in particular, is clearly getting his confidence back after a torrid time at Manchester United and once again playing with a smile on his face.
The two assists against the Blues will no doubt provide the 27-year-old with some much-needed reassurance that he can still make an impact at the highest level.
Asensio, on the other hand, was a player many Villa fans were unsure about when news first broke of his potential signing due to his seeming inability to fit into Emery’s side.
However, the former Real Madrid man has firmly proved everyone wrong, with his latest effort – an efficient double – enough to grab three points for the Midlands club.
Although his deployment as a deep-lying second striker has shifted Morgan Rogers out to the right wing where he is not as effective, Villa look a much better team with Asensio and Rashford working to link up play and driving the ball forward.
That is exactly why Emery wanted to sign them both in the first place, and he knew it was a risk worth taking.
READ MORE: Man Utd news: Shocking Red Devils sneak undeserved draw at Everton
Smash-and-grab performance
The game against the Blues was not a vintage performance by any stretch of the imagination from a Villa perspective, but a win was important for keeping pace in the race for Champions League football next season.
With that said, there were momentary flashes of brilliance from Villa, particularly surrounding Asensio’s two goals.
Villa also needed the win on a mental level, having drawn two matches in a row coming into Saturday’s clash.
In the end, Emery’s side proved their hunger for another Champions League campaign next term and – if they fix a few problems – they should be right back in the mix now.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Liverpool analysis: Fans need to chill; Darwin Nunez debate; Reds to regroup vs Man City
Defensive problems persist
One of those problems is conceding far too many goals, with Villa currently sitting 11th for goal difference.
The Midlands club have conceded 1.52 goals per game this season, which is quite poor, and most of them have been during away matches.
A reason for this could be the constant chopping and changing to the defensive set-up due to injuries.
Indeed, Villa have rarely been able to call upon the tried and trusted duo of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, a partnership that has worked famously well for them in the past.
The team have also made 12 errors leading to goals this campaign, including some recent howlers by the full-backs against Liverpool and Chelsea.
If Emery can sort out those key problems sooner rather than later, Villa are in with a chance of pushing up the Premier League table and finishing in a European spot come season’s end.
First step on that journey, though, is a difficult trip to Selhurst Park next weekend.
MORE FROM HARRISON PIERCE: Aston Villa news: Superstar Kendrick Lamar to perform at Villa Park after going viral at the Super Bowl
