Marcus Rashford Exclusive: Ultimatum given at Aston Villa
Aston Villa have hit new heights with the calibre of player they are able to attract, as Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio settle in.
The duo have shown glimmers of what they can offer the Villa supporters since arriving on loan from Manchester United and PSG respectively, in a bid to rekindle their own careers to meet expectations.
Unai Emery handed both players their first Premier League start at Villa Park on Wednesday night (19 February) in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Liverpool, as they each featured for three-quarters of the contest.
Rashford has golden chance, Asensio dreams dashed by Ronaldo
Aston Villa are offering both players the opportunity to hit the heights they expect of themselves at a key moment of their respective careers, according to Ian Darke.
Rashford was at loggerheads with Man United boss Ruben Amorim while Asensio was out of favour under Luis Enrique with the French champions.
Darke, speaking exclusively to Villa News, believes Asensio is looked upon unfairly due to having to compete for a long-term place at former side Real Madrid against players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, while Rashford has an uncertain end to his career should he fail at Villa Park.
“This is a chance for Rashford to reignite his career. I think he’s got to look as if he’s back in love with football again. If he can’t do that in this situation, you have to wonder about where his career is going,” the TV commentator admitted.
“Asensio is a very fine player and the pair of them have looked bright for Villa so far. Asensio was only around the fringes of the Real Madrid team because of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. It’s nothing on him as a player. He’s still an elite-level Champions League-quality player.”
Aston Villa in danger of dropping out of Champions League
Everyone at Aston Villa is now desperate to establish themselves as a Champions League mainstay now they have had a taste of dinner back at the elite table.
The Villans remain in this season’s competition and have set up a last 16 tie with Belgian outfit Club Brugge, against whom they suffered from a bizarrely controversial goal involving Tyrone Mings and Emi Martinez back in November.
In the Premier League they sit ninth among a chasing pack aiming for the top five – who are all expected to qualify for the Champions League from this term.
Even beyond the likes of loanees Rashford and Asensio – whose wages are being covered largely by the income from the lucrative sale of Jhon Duran to join Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last month – Emery still has a terrific squad of players who will only realistically remain a unit with consistent Champions League football.
While the claret and blues fight on in three competitions this season – the FA Cup also presenting an opportunity for silverware – Emery must inspire consistency from his squad between now and May.