Aston Villa’s thrilling 3-0 victory over Southampton has been overshadowed by Marco Asensio’s penalty miss drama. The Spaniard missed not one but two penalties in the second half, sparking a debate about his role as a penalty taker for the team.
The pressure is mounting, and Unai Emery’s decision-making skills are being put to the test.
Asensio addressed his two missed penalties, saying, “Sometimes these things can happen, the most important is to keep trying. Happy for another 3 points away. Thank you for the support villans!”. The Spaniard’s response was characteristically calm and collected, but the question remains: should he continue to take penalties for Villa?
The stakes are high, and Emery’s decision could have far-reaching consequences for the team.
Emery revealed that he will consider who takes penalties for Aston Villa in their upcoming Champions League quarter-final against PSG. The current order is clear:
The Penalty Hierarchy:
- Primary Penalty Taker: Marcus Rashford
- Secondary Penalty Taker: Marco Asensio
- Additional Penalty Taker Options:
- Third Option: Youri Tielemans
- Third Option: John McGinn
- Third Option: Ollie Watkins
The question on everyone’s mind is: will Asensio’s penalty-taking duties be reassigned?
Emery’s comments suggest that he is open to changing the penalty taker, especially given the high stakes of the Champions League quarter-final against PSG. “I think it is normal that his challenge is to get the second one after the first one. It is clear which penalty shooter is first.”
The manager’s words imply that Asensio’s penalty-taking duties may be under review.
Asensio’s two missed penalties didn’t seem to faze him, and Emery believes it’s normal for players to want to redeem themselves after missing a penalty. “We have to accept it and decide for the next match.”
The decision on who takes penalties for Aston Villa remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the stakes are high, and the pressure is mounting.
In the midst of the penalty debate, it’s worth noting that Aston Villa’s victory over Southampton was a significant one. The team showed great resilience and determination, and their 3-0 win was a testament to their strength and depth.
The real test begins now, as Villa prepares to face PSG in the Champions League quarter-final.
Will Asensio regain his penalty-taking form, or will Emery opt for a different approach? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the pressure is on, and the stakes are high.
The drama unfolds, and the world watches with bated breath.
As the team prepares for the biggest challenge of the season, one thing is clear: Aston Villa is ready to give it their all and fight for victory. “The most important thing is to keep trying,” as Asensio so aptly put it.
The question is: will it be enough?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the world will be watching with great anticipation.
