LONDON: Marcus Rashford returns to Paris Saint-Germain with Aston Villa today seeking a hat-trick of wins at the home of the French champions while Marco Asensio can hurt his parent club.
The two players have impressed since signing on loan for Unai Emery's men in the winter transfer window, scoring a combined 11 goals in all competitions.
Villa head to Paris in buoyant mood on the back of seven straight wins in all competitions – they are sixth in the Premier League and face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals later this month.
Rashford will have a spring in his step after twice playing a pivotal role in securing victories for boyhood club Manchester United at PSG's Parc des Princes stadium.
In 2019, in a Champions League last-16 second-leg meeting, he scored a stoppage-time penalty, ensuring United progressed on away goals.
Two seasons later, in the group stages of the competition, Rashford again struck late to seal all three points in a 2-1 success.
This time the England winger, who has previously been linked with a move to PSG, will be wearing a different kit after leaving Trafford under a cloud.
The rejuvenated forward, who has provided a number of assists, scored his first Premier League goal for Villa against Brighton last week, three days after netting twice in the 3-0 FA Cup quarter-final win against Preston.
Emery, who managed PSG from 2016 to 2018, said Rashford, also recalled by England manager Thomas Tuchel last month, was on the right track.
There is still uncertainty over whether the 27-year-old will remain at Villa Park next season but for now he has his sights set on winning the Champions League with his new club – something he never managed at United.
"He's recovering confidence himself playing football, being focused only on football, being with his teammates comfortable as well, identifying and understanding our style, our demands," said Emery.
"Everything with him is progressively getting better."
Asensio, a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, has been a revelation at Villa Park, scoring eight goals in 11 appearances, including three at the last-16 stage as Villa defeated Club Brugge 6-1 on aggregate.
