Tyrone Mings responds to Marco Asensio’s reunion message after Fenerbahce vs Aston Villa
Marco Asensio was given the chance to reunite with his former teammates as Aston Villa took on Fenerbache in the Europa League.
Villa fans wanted to sign Asensio permanently from PSG after his six-month loan at Villa Park, having notched eight goals and an assist, including braces against Chelsea, Cardiff City, and Club Brugge.
As well as the Spaniard, Unai Emery fell in love with Marcus Rashford, but both stars found new clubs ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, leaving the Villans scrambling for attacking reinforcements.
Morgan Rogers has become Villa’s most important star, with Ollie Watkins, Emi Buendia, and John McGinn all starring in the final third, but it was Jadon Sancho who made the difference on Thursday, 22 January.
The Premier League side rose to second in the Europa League table with all three points, with just one game remaining against RB Salzburg, in between games against Newcastle United and Brentford.
Marco Asensio happy to see former Aston Villa teammates
After the game, Asensio took to Instagram stories (23 January) to send a message to his former team, writing: “Happy to see all of you guys. Good luck for the rest of the season, Aston Villa.”
He played the full 90 minutes as the Villans secured an important away victory, and in response to his message, Tyrone Mings replied, “Good to see you, my friend”.
Emery’s side also came up against Jhon Duran, who had his suspension reduced just in time to face his former club, while a plethora of other ex-Premier League stars featured for the Turkish side.
Ederson and Fred, from either side of Manchester, started alongside each other, with former Wolves man Nelson Semedo starting at right-back, with West Ham fans fond of substitute Edson Alvarez.
Unai Emery is in the transfer market for more stars
Villa have moved on since the days of Rashford and Asensio, and Emery could add Tammy Abraham to the squad before the winter transfer window slams shut on 2 February.
It is not the most exciting transfer, but it is one full of nostalgia, with fans desperate for him to relive his 2018-19 season at Villa Park, when he recorded 26 goals and three assists in 40 games.
The West Midlands club have a very real chance of lifting the Premier League title, currently sitting just seven points behind, while also on the same points as Man City.
The Gunners are unlikely to slip up, but in the off-chance that they do, the Villans will be there to pounce and move within another three points of the league leaders.
That could be difficult with Newcastle United, Brentford, and Bournemouth up next, but Emery’s side should be able to secure all nine points in the Premier League.