{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Agbonlahor shares verdict on Aston Villa completing big-money Marco Asensio swoop
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Marco Asensio would not be a guaranteed starter for Aston Villa – citing concerns about his ability to adapt to the Premier League.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ultimately insisted he trusts the judgement of manager Unai Emery after his extensive experience in Spain.
According to The Athletic (10 May), Aston Villa want to sign Asensio, 27, on a free transfer this summer and will offer him a “lucrative” contract to persuade him to leave Spain.
The report claims several clubs from the Premier League and Serie A are interested in signing the Spain international – who will become a free agent next month if a new deal cannot be agreed with Real Madrid.
Asensio has been a rotation option for the Spanish giants this term but has nevertheless notched 12 goals and eight assists in 49 games across all competitions.
The winger, who currently earns a reported wage of over £165,000-a-week, has won three Champions League titles and three La Liga titles during his eight-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Get Exclusive transfers news at Football Insider's YouTube TV channel
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I do like Asensio.
“But the only question for me is how will he adapt to the Premier League? It’s a much quicker league than La Liga, there’s less time on the ball – he’s not the quickest of players.
“I can’t think where he would play in this Aston Villa side.
“We’ve got Leon Bailey, we’ve got Buendia. I think he’d be a good addition to the squad, but I’m not sure he’d be a starter.
“It’s a totally different league here in England.
“I’m sure all Aston Villa fans have faith in Emery to bring the right players in. If he feels he’s good enough, and feels he can handle the pace of the Premier League – I’m all for it.”
In other news, Aston Villa set sights on Wolves star after fan revolt.