Aston Villa Unai Emery is looking forward to the “exciting” challenge of signing January to Marcus Rashford’s commitment to his earlier heights.
Rashford escaped until the end of the season in the last days of Manchester United’s January windows after falling out under Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
The 27-year-old has not introduced United since the beginning of December. Amorim questioned the striker’s commitment before moving to the second city.
But his new manager Emery says that he is “very happy” with the English international and says he wants to release him again.
“I’m very happy with him,” said Emery.
“The conversation we had was very normal and spoke about football and what I want from him.
“I think his potential is still great. I don’t want to know why he is leaving Manchester United.
“I am very happy to have him here to help him get his achievements back.
“My challenge for him is a big challenge. His challenge with us is also a very exciting challenge. I am very happy. “
Villa Team News: Watkins and Mings Out
Unai gave an update about team messages 📰 📰 before the game on Sunday
– Aston Villa (@avfcofficial) February 7, 2025
Rashford was able to give his Villa debut when they compete against Tottenham on Sunday in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The United Laree could even get a start after Emery unveiled that striker Ollie Watkins will miss the game in Villa Park and joined four further absent on the edge.
“We will work for work tomorrow, but at the beginning we have not available for Sunday, Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres, Cash, Ross Barkley and Watkins,” said the Spaniard.
He spoke specifically about Watkins and added: “Every day is important for him how he feels, but on Sunday I think that he will not be available because he has not trained today.
“Tomorrow I think he will not train because he will need more days to recover.
“Hopefully it will be available for next week.”
Champions League Snubs
The villa was one of the more operational teams during the transfer window in January and brought Rashford as well as Marco Asensio, Axel Disasi, Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia with Jhon Duran, Emiliano Buendia and Diego Carlos.
The rules of the Champions League determine that only three changes in the second half of the campaign can be made in the team’s Champions League squad, which Malen-Die from Borussia Dortmund Kam- and right-back Garcia was left out.
“The decision we had to make yesterday and they are outside – Andres Garcia and Donyell painting,” said Emery.
“It wasn’t a good decision that I had to make, but I spoke to Andres and spoke to Donyell to tell them the decision.”
