Morgan Gibbs-White ‘Distraught’ after shock Rashford news at Aston Villa
Marcus Rashford learned of his international fate this week, having impressed for Aston Villa since arriving on loan.
Aston Villa have had a mixed campaign so far under Unai Emery, with their league position perhaps below where they would like to be.
As it stands, the Villans sit eighth in the Premier League, though they are only four points behind Chelsea in fourth.
However, after advancing past Club Brugge, Villa find themselves in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, and Rashford has had a part to play in that.
Since his arrival at Villa Park, Rashford has registered four assists in nine games, and it was rewarded earlier this week.
Thomas Tuchel makes ‘shock’ Rashford decision
Despite having impressed since his move to Aston Villa, very few will have anticipated Rashford earning a call-up to England, though that is exactly what happened.
Thomas Tuchel opted to make some interesting decisions for his first squad as England boss, with several players left out, with one in particular surprising Paul Merson.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News (15 March, 12:27 pm), Merson said: “Maybe [Rashford was called up for experience], it goes back to the point that he’s proven.
| Aston Villa | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Marcus Rashford | 9 | 0 | 4 |
“You know, [Tuchel] hasn’t got to sit there and pick a squad and sit there in the dugout and think, I hope this works, I hope he can handle international football. “He’s been there, he’s done it.
“Reece James has done it, Rashford‘s done it, you know, [Jordan] Henderson’s done it, but I’m definitely with Michael Dawson on [Morgan] Gibbs-White.
“He has been a major, major part of the Nottingham Forest success, a major part. He should have been he should have been in that.
“If I was him, I’d be distraught because I don’t see how he gets back in now.”
Rashford looking to get back to his best with Aston Villa
Rashford is a player with absurd amounts of quality, though over the last few years, he has certainly lost his way a little bit, though that is to be expected with the mess at Manchester United.
Having almost contributed to a goal in every other game under Emery, he is finding that form yet again, and his England call-up will provide him with another massive confidence boost.
As has been seen, the key to Rashford’s performances is confidence, and if he can maintain that from now until the end of the campaign, he can play an influential role in Villa’s Champions League campaign while also aiding them in their bid to secure qualification for next season.
Many will look at Tuchel’s decision as a mistake, but Rashford has shown his quality since departing the Red Devils, and his performances will only grow as a result of that.