Unai Emery ‘drops huge Marcus Rashford transfer hint’ amid Aston Villa test
Unai Emery has hinted at whether Aston Villa will make Marcus Rashford’s loan move from Manchester United permanent.
Aston Villa signed Rashford on loan until the end of the season from Manchester United in the winter transfer window, with an option to make the move permanent for £40million.
The England international, who fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford, has since had an upturn in form, bagging three goals and five assists in 14 games across all competitions for Villa.
His performances for the Birmingham-based club saw him earn a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s first squad as the England manager in England.
Emery drops hint on Rashford future
With the season nearing an end, Aston Villa have a decision to make regarding Rashford and the £40m option to buy him.
The Villans may choose to wait until the end of the season to decide on whether or not to sign the forward from Manchester United, as they are still pushing for a top-four finish in the Premier League and competing in the UEFA Champions League.
| Matches | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
| 14 | 780′ | 3 | 5 |
However, Emery has now dropped a huge hint about Aston Villa acquiring Rashford’s services on a permanent deal.
Speaking ahead of the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie with PSG at Villa Park on Tuesday (15 April), the Spaniard expressed his desire to test playing Rashford and Ollie Watkins in a two-striker system.
However, Emery added that he will not rush into making that change and will take his time instead, suggesting that he plans to have the Manchester United loanee in his squad in the long term.
“The next step – if I have time – is to play them together”, Emery said in quotes shared by Jacob Tanswell (14 April).
“We did with Rashford playing left side, but now we are choosing more with both playing as strikers.
“That’s the next step. I want to practice, I want to test, but not now, with enough time.”
Emery on Watkins & Rashford: "The next step – if I have time – is to play them together. We did with Rashford playing left side but now we are choosing more with both playing as strikers. That's the next step. I want to practice, I want to test but not now with enough time."#AVFC
— Jacob Tanswell (@J_Tanswell) April 14, 2025
Rashford to join Aston Villa permanently
Aston Villa face an uphill task to avoid crashing out of the Champions League against PSG as they trail by two goals going into the second leg.
However, Emery and Co. will still be optimistic about qualifying for the Champions League next term, as they are only one point off fifth place in the Premier League.
Emery could also lead the Birmingham outfit to glory in the FA Cup, where they face Crystal Palace in the semi-final on 26 April.
Considering Villa’s progress under the Spaniard, it is likely that they will make Rashford’s loan move permanent this summer, especially if they qualify for the Champions League.