BBC pundit raves about Aston Villa ace Marco Asensio after 9/10 display vs Club Brugge | OneFootball

Aston Villa booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday night, following a comprehensive 3-0 win against Club Brugge at Villa Park.

Unai Emery’s side went into the game boasting a comfortable two-goal lead after thrashing the Belgian outfit 3-1 at their own headquarters last week.

That result put them on the brink of a place in the quarter-finals, but they still had to get the job done on home turf to cement their spot.

After an uninspiring first half performance, Emery’s half time team talk, coupled with a double change sparked Villa back to life as they came out firing on all cylinders.

Marco Asensio, who replaced the injured Ollie Watkins, wasted no time making an impact.

The Paris Saint-Germain loanee netted an 11-minute brace on either side of an Ian Maatsen goal, earning a 9/10 match rating.

The 29-year-old could have bagged a hat-trick but failed to hit the target after an exquisite pass from Youri Tielemans put him through on goal.

Nevertheless, Asensio’s cameo proved to be a game-changer for Villa, and his performance drew high praise from BBC pundit Mathew Upson.

“Marco Asensio is clever in where he positions himself,” Upson said on BBC Live. “It’s a nightmare really.

“He comes on the pitch, and he has the knack to pick up the right areas.

“You need to get yourself in a mentality that, when it’s your turn to play your part, you’re at your best, and you’re delivering.

“That’s what world-class players do. He’s in that bracket.

“He’s a great signing for Villa, and he’s going to play a big part in the exciting finish to the season they have ahead.”

Asensio’s brace against Brugge takes him up to seven goals in eight appearances across all competitions for Villa.

His tally is even more eye-catching, considering he has made the starting line-up in just three of those eight games.

The Spanish forward will likely be named in the starting XI when Villa visit Championship side Preston North End in the FA Cup quarter-final.