Marcus Rashford will return to the Parc des Princes on Wednesday with Aston Villa, aiming to complete a personal hat-trick of victories over Paris Saint-Germain, while teammate Marco Asensio prepares to face his parent club with a point to prove.
Both Rashford and Asensio have made a strong impact since joining Villa on loan during the winter transfer window, combining for 11 goals across all competitions.
Unai Emery’s side enter the Champions League quarter-final clash in excellent form, riding a seven-game winning streak in all competitions. Currently sixth in the Premier League, Villa also have an FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace on the horizon.
Rashford heads to Paris with fond memories of the stadium, having scored decisive late goals for Manchester United during two famous Champions League victories over PSG. In 2019, his stoppage-time penalty sent United through on away goals in the last 16. He repeated his heroics in 2020 with a late winner in the group stage.
Now wearing Villa colours after a turbulent departure from Old Trafford, the England international has rediscovered his form. He opened his Premier League account for Villa against Brighton last week, just days after netting twice in a 3-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Preston.
Villa manager Unai Emery, who previously coached PSG from 2016 to 2018, praised Rashford’s resurgence and highlighted the winger’s renewed focus.
"He's regaining confidence by just focusing on football, feeling comfortable with his teammates, and adapting to our style and demands," Emery said. "Everything with him is progressively improving."
While Rashford’s long-term future at Villa Park remains uncertain, his current ambition is clear: to lift the Champions League trophy—a feat he never achieved at Manchester United.
Asensio’s Impact and Return to Paris
Marco Asensio has also flourished under Emery’s guidance. The three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid has scored eight goals in just 11 appearances for Villa, including three in the last-16 tie against Club Brugge, which Villa won 6-1 on aggregate.
Remarkably, the 29-year-old has already surpassed his goal tally from his time at PSG, despite having joined the French side in 2023. UEFA regulations allow him to face his parent club, as no team is permitted to exert influence over another’s squad selection in UEFA competitions.
Villa midfielder Amadou Onana praised the immediate impact of both loanees, highlighting their experience and influence.
"Both of them have been fantastic since arriving," Onana told UEFA’s Off Pitch YouTube channel. "You could see their impact from the start. They’ve played at the highest level, and for us younger players, it’s inspiring to train and learn alongside them every day."
A Familiar Opponent for Emery
Emery, a four-time Europa League-winning coach, is eager to overcome his former club. PSG, who recently eliminated Liverpool in the last 16 and have clinched the Ligue 1 title, will pose a formidable challenge.
Onana believes Villa, European champions in 1982, are capable of reaching the semi-finals—though he acknowledges the scale of the task.
"Are we dreaming? Yes and no," Onana said. "We’ve shown we have the quality to be here, but we have to stay realistic. PSG are one of the top contenders for the Champions League, so it’s going to be a very tough match."