Analysis: How new faces can fit into Villa's attack

Football writer Adrian Clarke says Aston Villa's new trio of attackers have a point to prove and asks if Unai Emery can fit them all into his team.

Team analysis: Aston Villa

As the lowest scorers in the top half of the Premier League table, it is understandable that Aston Villa focused on strengthening their attacking options in the transfer window.

Just under 70 per cent of their league goals have been scored by three players, Ollie Watkins (11), Jhon Duran (seven) and Morgan Rogers (six).  

In fact, only two others, central midfielders Ross Barkley and Amadou Onana, have found the back of the net more than once.  

Duran has since been sold to Al Nassr, while forwards Emi Buendia and Jaden Philogene also moved on last month. The need for quality reinforcements was urgent.

The arrival of loanees Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford, coupled with the permanent signing of Donyell Malen, are an attempt to not just redress the balance, but also improve Unai Emery’s starting XI.  

Will they do that? Let’s take a closer look at how they can impact the side… 

Marco Asensio 

Villa do not play with a "false nine" striker, so it will be fascinating to see how Emery utilises Asensio, who was primarily deployed in that role for Paris Saint-Germain.  

Using him there would be a useful alternative option for the head coach, especially in moments when Watkins is unavailable.  

Stationing the pacy Rogers and Rashford either side of him, for example, would potentially provide the team with a new tactical dimension.  

Asensio’s excellent passing range and inclination to drop off the front hints that he is more of a provider than a predator. But he also has scope to help those two speedy forwards make telling runs in behind.

Asensio's PSG stats 23/24 and 24/25

As you can see from the graphic above, Asensio also brings great versatility.  

He can operate in behind Watkins as a No.10, or play on either wing, with many of his best performances for previous club Real Madrid coming on the right, where he cut inside onto his favoured left foot.  

A modest tally of two goals and four assists in 2024/25 indicates why PSG were willing to let the 29-year-old leave on loan.  

Yet when you break down his influence per 90 minutes in Ligue 1, it is clear he is a player that can have a major influence at Villa.

Asensio's stats this season

Asensio has a sharp football brain, is quick, and has a penchant for showing flair on the pitch.  

If he can get his left foot firing to deliver end product alongside his obvious quality, he can be a fans’ favourite at Villa Park.

Marcus Rashford 

Emery has not really settled on a regular starter to play on the left side of his attack.  

Since the start of December, Rogers (five), Jacob Ramsey (four) and John McGinn (three) have effectively shared that role, with Ramsey the current first choice.

Eager to revive his career, Rashford may be eyeing up that position in the coming weeks.  

The advantage he has over most players is his speed.  

Rashford is the 24th-fastest player in the Premier League this season, with just one Villa team-mate, Onana, clocking a higher top speed in 2024/25 so far.

Villa's fastest players this season

Whether he features on the left or as a central striker, Rashford's raw pace has the potential to enliven a Villa side that has not been especially dynamic on the break this season.  

Even though they are mainly sitting off in a mid-block this season, they have only conjured one goal from a fast break so far.

Rashford’s inclusion, from the start or off the bench, should in theory make them more dangerous on the counter. 

Villa's counter-attacking stats this season

His second goal against Everton in Manchester United’s 4-0 win earlier on this season, showcased what he can bring to the table as he sprinted from inside his own half to run onto a through ball inside the box.

Villa will be hoping he can replicate that type of move more often in their colours.

How Villa could now look

It is hard to say what Emery has in mind for Asensio and Rashford at this stage, as both players are versatile enough to operate anywhere across the forward line.  

If the head coach wants to bring Rogers back into a central area, where he linked so well with Watkins early on this season, this is how an attack-minded Villa starting XI could look.

Donyell Malen 

That predicted XI does not include Netherlands international Malen, but he will also be looking to force his way into Emery’s line-up.  

He scored 13 Bundesliga goals for Borussia Dortmund last season; a statistic which shows he has the ability to make an impact.  

The former Arsenal youngster is another adaptable forward, who is equally comfortable on the right wing, or down the middle as a central striker. That is where he featured for Villa last time out when replacing Watkins at half-time, and Malen was unlucky not to score on two occasions.  

Showing quick feet and a sharp turn of pace, the Dutchman brought good saves out of Jose Sa with right and left- footed efforts.

Malen likes to get his shots away, averaging between 2.79 and 4.47 shots per 90 minutes across the last six seasons with PSV Eindhoven, Dortmund and Villa.  

The 26-year-old has mainly been used as a right-sided front man this term, but as he showed at Molineux, the January recruit could also be a useful understudy to Watkins.

Trio can help Villa meet targets 

There is plenty for Villa to play for in the coming weeks. Already through to the UEFA Champions League's last 16, they are chasing a top four or five finish in the Premier League, and have a home tie in the FA Cup, against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

The loss of Duran made it imperative for Emery to delve into the market, and he has acquired three individuals who have undoubted talent. 

They also have a point to prove, so we should see them exhibit plenty of desire during the rest of the season.