Bukayo Saka and PFA react to Marcus Rashford message after Aston Villa v Chelsea
Marcus Rashford caught the eye for Aston Villa once again as he grabbed two assists in the win against Chelsea.
The Manchester United loanee was a half-time substitute at Villa Park on Saturday (22 February) and made a huge impact.
Marco Asensio bagged a brace to cancel out Enzo Fernandez’s early strike with the Englishman providing the assist for both.
This performance certainly captured the attention of the footballing world and received positive reactions from England teammate Bukayo Saka and the PFA.
Marcus Rashford catches Saka and PFA eye for Aston Villa v Chelsea
It was a surprise to see that the 27-year-old wasn’t starting in B6 after what was a positive showing from the start against Liverpool last time out.
It is safe to say that this proved to be a stroke of genius from Unai Emery as the forward came on and had a devastating impact.
Rashford’s close control and explosive pace was too much for Malo Gusto who couldn’t contain the England international who set up the equaliser and winner.
Reaching out to the Villa faithful after the game, the loan star took to Instagram (22 February) to say: “Huge three points! Up the Villa.”
This post was liked by international teammate Saka while the Professional Footballers’ Association commented and said: “Rashy doing what he does best.”
Aston Villa secure Marcus Rashford-inspired win v Chelsea
It is fair to say that if the Villans didn’t have the Red Devils’ loan star available, it would have been a different result at Villa Park.
In the first half, Enzo Maresca’s side were dominant and arguably should have had more than the one goal they chalked up.
The introduction of Rashford changed the tide in B6 as it made Gusto stay further back and meant that the likes of Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto had less protection going forward.
| Stat | Marcus Rashford v Chelsea |
| Minutes played | 45 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 94 |
| Chances created | 3 |
| Dribbles completed | 2 |
| Duels won | 2 |
Add to this his excellent improvisation for Asensio’s first and his fizzed cross for the Spain international’s second and it is clear to see why the Villa faithful were raving about the Englishman.
Villa Park has a new favourite son and the supporters will be hoping that they can celebrate a first goal for the forward in claret and blue sooner rather than later.