It is often said that opposites attract, though that’s not the case when it comes to Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio. They are more similar than it seems at first glance, and that’s what united them.The Englishman is Man United’s child. He debuted for the senior squad at 18 and instantly became one of the biggest club and country’s prospects. The Spaniard’s path was slightly different, though he joined Real Madrid from his boyhood team, Mallorca, at the same age his current teammate made his debut. After a few loans, he established himself as an integral part of Madrid’s machinery at 20.##EDITORS_CHOICE##And while Rashford remained faithful to United, Asensio moved to Paris Saint-Germain two years ago in pursuit of more playing time and a more significant role, but he didn’t get it. Practically during the same period, the two fell out with their respective managers, spending more time on the bench and in the stands than on the pitch.Before joining Aston Villa, Rashford last clocked 90 minutes on December 1 and played his last game two weeks later. Asensio’s case was even worse, as he got to spend the entire game on the pitch on November 22 and since clocked just 28 minutes in 15 games.Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford since joining Aston Villa pic.twitter.com/5mjupzyeDf— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) April 2, 2025 Their statuses at their clubs couldn’t have been worse. And then Unai Emery appeared, gave them a chance, paired them up, and created one of the most lethal duos in European football at the moment.Since taking Villa’s #9, Rashford noted three goals and four assists in 11 matches, while his “wingman” Asensio found the net as many as eight times! Last night, they both scored in a vital win in Brighton, while another recent addition, Donyell Malen, joined them on the scoresheet, proving that the Birmingham side’s management “hit the bullseye” in the January Transfer Window.🏴 | Loving the Villa life!• Marcus Rashford – more goal involvements in his first 11 apps for Aston Villa (7) than in his last 18 apps for Man United (6)• Marco Asensio – as many goal involvements in his first 10 apps for Aston Villa as in his last 34 apps for PSG (9)… pic.twitter.com/CDnwiCXHL8— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) April 2, 2025 Thanks to them, Aston Villa are having arguably the best season in their recent history, as they are three points away from the fourth EPL spot (which leads to the Champions League), they convincingly reached the FA Cup semi-finals (where they’ll face Crystal Palace), and most importantly, they are in the UCL quarter-finals where PSG await.An ideal chance for the Spaniard’s vengeance, and he knows who’ll be there to back him up.Rashford and Asensio are – Villa’s partners in crime.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 30 TuesdayArsenal – Fulham 2-1 (1-0)/Merino 37, Saka 73 – Muniz 90+4/Wolverhampton – West Ham 1-0 (1-0)/Larsen 21/Nott. Forest – Manchester United 1-0 (1-0)/Elanga 5/WednesdayBournemouth – Ipswich 1-2 (0-1)/Evanilson 68 – Broadhead 34, Delap 60/Brighton – Aston Villa 0-3 (0-0)/Rashford 51, Asensio 78, Malen 90+10/Man.City – Leicester 2-0 (2-0)/Grealish 2, Marmoush 29/Newcastle – Brentford 2-1 (1-0)/Isak 45+2, Tonali 74 – Mbeumo 64 pen/Southampton – Crystal Palace 1-1 (1-0)/Onuachu 20 – Matheus Franca 90+2/Liverpool – Everton 1-0 (0-0)/Jota 57/Thursday22:00: (1.65) Chelsea (4.50) Tottenham (4.70)***odds are subject to change***
