Express & Star

John McGinn explains why new Aston Villa hero Marco Asensio is just getting started

John McGinn believes Villa are yet to see the best of Marco Asensio despite the forward’s blistering start to life in England.

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The Spain international scored twice in Wednesday’s Champions League win over Club Brugge to take his tally to seven goals in eight Villa appearances and set-up a quarter-final showdown with parent club Paris Saint-Germain.

But McGinn believes supporters and team-mates have gotten only a glimpse of what Asensio has to offer.

Only two of the 29-year-old’s appearances have been starts and McGinn explained: "He's not even at full fitness, which is the exciting thing for us. 

“Him coming on, he adds a bit of composure and quality. 

"He's a great teammate to have around. Hopefully he can keep banging the goals in and thankfully for us he can play against PSG, which is great.” 

McGinn does not think Asensio, a three-time Champions League winner, will be fazed about facing his parent club.

The former Real Madrid star found himself down the pecking order at the Parc des Princes before joining Villa on deadline day.

"He’s delighted he can play, obviously, because it's the last eight of the Champions League and it's somewhere he's been a lot more than the rest of us,” said McGinn.

The Villa skipper continued: "I think it'll be a strange one for him, but maybe he's got a bit to prove to them. 

“He probably feels he deserved more game time. He probably feels like he can still contribute to PSG, but he's here and we love having him here. His quality is just clear to see.

“I don't know how much percentage fitness-wise he was at. You could see his legs were strapped up a wee bit. 

“But as long as he keeps putting the performances in like that, he'll be on the pitch whether he's 20, 30, 40 percent fit. There's a lot more to come for Marco and I'm sure he'll be giving us some tips on how to get past PSG.”