Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Sun 20 April 2025 9:00, UK

Aston Villa have a huge decision to make in the summer on the future of Marcus Rashford.

The Manchester United loanee has revived his career since joining the Villans after a fallout with Ruben Amorim, notching three goals and six assists in 16 matches.

The Villa Park outfit have a £40million option to buy the 27-year-old, but whether they activate it or move on to a different target remains to be seen.

Villa identify Rashford replacement in new twist

Unai Emery has started to draw up replacements for the Old Trafford ace in case the B6 outfit cannot persuade him to make his stay permanent.

A report from the Sun on Sunday (page 57, 20 April) claims that Villa are set to rival the Red Devils for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze if they cannot land Rashford.

It states that the Eagles are bracing for offers of £50million for the 26-year-old England international with widespread interest expected in his services.

Eze would be a great signing for Villa

The Three Lions ace has notched three goals and assists in the Premier League this season and is about to hit the peak of his powers.

Given the fact that he has reached the 10-goal mark twice in the past three campaigns, he can clearly find the net at the elite level and would be another great weapon in Emery’s arsenal.

If he made the move to Villa Park, those numbers could get even better due to the higher quality of his teammates as Palace have struggled this season.

If Eze was playing with Champions League standard players on a regular basis, he could experience a big increase in his output as he is currently the standout player of a poor team.

The 26-year-old is one of the most talented players in the top flight and deserves to get a move to a bigger club sooner rather than later before it is too late.

If the Villans cannot secure a deal for Rashford, the Eagles ace would be a very good replacement for his compatriot.