TalkSPORT’s Darren Bent Makes Loan Claim in Response to Marco Asensio Playing in Aston Villa-PSG Tie | OneFootball

After defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield on Tuesday night, Paris Saint-Germain now face another Premier League team, Aston Villa, with a spot in the semifinal on the line.

PSG had a tough time against Liverpool, needing a penalty shootout to secure the win. In contrast, Aston Villa breezed through their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 matchup against Club Brugge, winning 6-1 on aggregate.

The English side won the first leg 3-1, and the second leg went into extra time. However, goals from Marco Asensio, on loan from PSG, who netted a brace, and Ian Maatsen sealed a 3-0 victory to clinch the tie.

Darren Bent makes loan claim ahead of Aston Villa-PSG

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Asensio is still a PSG player, as he’s currently on loan from the French club to the Premier League side. In light of this, talkSPORT’s Darren Bent made a point about loan players facing their parent club.

“So, for starters, I just think, you know what? First and foremost, if a club is willing to loan you out, that tells me the club doesn’t believe you’re good enough yet or at all, to be a success at that football club.

“Unless you’re a young kid going out to learn your trade, but that’s irrelevant at that point. So it shouldn’t really make a difference who you can play against.

“If they think you’ll be better suited elsewhere, then you should be able to play against them. It shouldn’t be an issue. That’s the first thing.”

Moreover, Bent noted there’s only one situation where he understands a club not wanting their player to play against them.

“I think if you’re taking a player on loan and paying 50 percent of the wages, there’s a discussion to be had, and the parent club might say, ‘Well, no, we don’t want that.’ And that’s fair enough if they’re paying 50 percent. If you’re a football club taking a player on loan and paying 100 percent of their wages, they should be able to play in every game.

“If you’re now covering the full cost, and the parent club is paying nothing, I think you should be able to play against anyone, whether it’s the club you’re on loan from or whoever. You should be able to play.”

Asensio will face the coach who limited his role this season, a decision that played a part in his move to Villa Park during the winter transfer window.

Meanwhile, Unai Emery will return to Paris to face the club he managed from 2016 to 2018, where he won a league title, two Coupe de France trophies, two Coupe de la Ligue titles, and two Trophée des Champions.