Marco Asensio: Aston Villa sign Paris St-Germain midfielder on loan

Aston Villa have signed Spain midfielder Marco Asensio on loan from Paris St-Germain until the end of the season.

The three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid is Villa's fourth signing of the winter transfer window after Marcus Rashford, Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia.

Villa will reportedly cover the 29-year-old's wages but do not have an option to make the move permanent.

Asensio has scored seven goals in 47 appearances for PSG since joining from Real Madrid in the summer of 2023.

He helped the club win the French title last season, but this term he has made just eight league starts.

He was also part of the Spain squad that won the Nations League in 2023.

Villa boss Unai Emery said his side needed new players following Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Wolves, which left the club eighth in the Premier League.

They sold Colombia striker Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a £71m deal and centre-back Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce for around £8.45m.

Villa completed the loan signing of Manchester United forward Rashford, 27 - which includes an option to buy for £40m - on Sunday.

Netherlands forward Malen, 26, joined Villa for £19m from Borussia Dortmund three weeks ago, while Spanish full-back Garcia, 21, joined from Levante for a reported fee of £6m with a further £1m in add-ons.

Asensio could make his Villa debut alongside Rashford against Tottenham in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday (17:35 GMT) - a match that is live on BBC One and iPlayer.

Villa as also in the last 16 of the Champions League.

By Nick Mashiter

Villa prioritised versatile attackers this month and in Asensio they have one.

He, Rashford and Malen can all operate across the front three, giving Villa excellent forward options to compliment Ollie Watkins.

Emery is a master of bringing the best out of players - under him Watkins and Ezri Konsa have become England squad regulars and Morgan Rogers has excelled since joining from Middlesbrough a year ago.

Asensio will hope to have a similar impact.