Aston Villa are currently in a really good place as they continue to impress in the Champions League and FA Cup whilst still doing well in the Premier League.
The Villans built up a great advantage in their Champions League last-16 tie against Club Brugge after winning 3-1 in the first leg in Belgium.
Aston Villa are also in the FA Cup quarter-finals and remain within touching distance of a European finish in the Premier League.
Villa Park cult hero Paul Merson has given his verdict on three of the club’s in-form players, namely Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Youri Tielemans.
Merson also spoke about Jhon Duran as he suggested Unai Emery made the right decision to sell him in the January transfer window.
Paul Merson hails Aston Villa trio Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Youri Tielemans
Merson believes Asensio has been “outstanding” and suggested that other clubs will regret making a move for him.
The pundit also said Rashford has done “better than I thought he’d do”, while Tielemans was described as “very good” and “always a steady seven or eight out of 10”.
In addition, Merson believes Duran is a “super sub”, saying Emery’s decision to sell him over Ollie Watkins “tells you everything”.
“Marco Asensio’s been outstanding. He’s got big goals in games as well,” Merson wrote on Sky Sports.
“I know he’s done a lot of sitting around recently but he hasn’t been at Real Madrid and PSG for no reason. He’s done very well.
“When someone comes along like that, the biggest compliment you could say is, a lot of clubs will be thinking, ‘Why didn’t we get him?’
“Marcus Rashford has done alright, better than I thought he’d do. He would get in Manchester United’s team every day of the week so I still don’t get it.
“Villa haven’t missed Jhon Duran but I didn’t think they would. He’s a super sub.
“It speaks volumes that Villa turned down a bid for a 29-year-old Ollie Watkins and chose to sell a 21-year-old Jhon Duran. That tells you everything.
“Youri Tielemans has been very good. He’s always willing to get on the ball. He can see a pass and scores every now and then.
“He was a bit in and out at the start but I imagine he’s one of the first names on the team sheet now. He’s a clever player. Always a steady seven or eight out of 10.”
How Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Youri Tielemans fared against Brugge
Asensio came off the bench in the 64th minute and, as well as securing the victory with his penalty, he also had a shot saved not long after coming on and making a great run into the box.
Rashford wasn’t as involved against Brugge as he was against Cardiff, but he saw a shot saved in the first half after some great work down the left.
As for Tielemans, he won the second-highest number of tackles on the pitch on the night, and swung in the free kick which led to Bailey’s goal.
Meanwhile, Tyrone Mings stood out with his ‘redemption arc’ display as Villa fans sung his praises.
