Clock ticking as Aston Villa face Champions League dilemma

Unai Emery’s squad was bolstered by five new additions during the transfer window, including the high-profile loan acquisitions of Marcus Rashford, Mario Asensio and Axel Disasi.

Winger Donyell Malen also joined from Borussia Dortmund in a permanent £21million deal, with right-back Andres Garcia arriving from Levante for £5m.

But Uefa rules state a maximum of three new players can be added to Champions League squads for the knockout phase, leaving Unai Emery facing a dilemma over which two of his five signings to leave out. Villa, who let six senior players depart during the window, have until midnight on Thursday to submit their updated list to Uefa.

Garcia, signed with one eye very much on the future, would appear unlikely to make the cut.

But Rashford, Malen and Asensio all have big experience in the Champions League, while centre-back Disasi spoke of his excitement at playing in the competition for the first time after sealing a deadline day move from Chelsea.

Malen played in last season’s final for Dortmund, while Asensio won the competition three times with Real Madrid, even scoring against Juventus in the 2017 final.

Rashford, meanwhile, has made more than 30 appearances in the Champions League for United.

Villa qualified for the last-16, avoiding this month’s play-off round, by securing an eighth-placed finish in the league phase of the competition.

Emery’s men are next in action when they host Tottenham in the FA Cup on Sunday, with Asensio and Rashford both expected to feature.

Disasi, however, is cup-tied having played for Chelsea in their third-round win over Morecambe.