Aston Villa manager Unai Emery lauded Marcus Rashford following his goal in Villa’s narrow 2-1 loss to Manchester City on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old forward made his first appearance in Manchester since falling out of favor at Manchester United under head coach Ruben Amorim.
Rashford was notably absent from United’s squad in their 2-1 victory over City last December due to reported performance concerns, later expressing his desire for a fresh start. After being sidelined by Amorim, the England international secured a January loan move to Villa, where he has since reignited his form.
Since joining Villa, the United academy product has flourished, contributing four goals and six assists. Rashford played a key role in both legs of Villa’s Champions League quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain and could feature again as they prepare for an FA Cup semi-final showdown with Crystal Palace this weekend.
Emery’s Take on Rashford’s Impact
Rashford marked his return to Manchester with a composed penalty against City, showcasing his composure by wrong-footing goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. Though his influence waned in the second half as City took control, his first-half display reinforced his value to Villa’s squad.
Villa hold a £40 million option to sign Rashford permanently this summer, but it remains uncertain whether they will activate the clause. Reflecting on the match, Emery praised the loanee’s contributions:
“I’m extremely pleased with him. He’s performing at a high level, and his commitment to the team and our project has been vital—both for us and for him. He needs to maintain this momentum, and hopefully, he’ll be ready to make an impact again on Saturday.”
Rashford’s resurgence at Villa Park has given him a new lease on life, and Emery’s admiration suggests the club could seriously consider making his stay permanent.
