Unai Emery ready for ‘huge challenge’ of revitalising Marcus Rashford at Aston Villa

LONDON – Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said he has a challenge ahead to get the best out of Marcus Rashford, but still sees big potential in the 27-year-old.

The England international joined Villa on loan for the rest of the season this week after being discarded by Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, who believes that the forward is not up to his standards both on and off the pitch.

Rashford has not played since Dec 12 but Emery is confident that he can get the player back fit and firing in the final four months of the season.

“I’m very happy with him,” he said.

“The conversation we had was very normal, speaking about football and what I want of him. I think his potential is still big. I don’t want to know the reason he is leaving from Manchester United.

“I am very happy to have him here, to try to help him to recover his performances. My challenge with him is a huge challenge. His challenge as well with us is a very exciting challenge.”

Rashford could make his Villa debut when they host Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round on Feb 9.

Spurs are at a low ebb after they were knocked out of the League Cup semi-finals by Liverpool on Feb 6, while the North London side are 14th in the Premier League.

But Emery is not taking them lightly after Ange Postecoglou’s team thrashed Villa 4-1 in November.

“Tottenham, the respect I have for them is a huge respect. They have some players injured and some doubts in the league, but they have a very good team,” he said.

“The coach showed his capacity in playing very good football last year and sometimes this year. We lost against them in the league match and they played fantastic. On Sunday, I’m expecting from them their best performance.”

Tottenham forward Richarlison is the latest addition to Spurs’ lengthy injury list, Postecoglou confirmed.

The 27-year-old, who has been plagued with calf, groin, knee and hamstring problems since his move from Everton in 2022, went off injured in first-half stoppage time in the 4-0 loss to Liverpool.

Postecoglou’s squad have been hit hard by injuries amid a run of poor results but the 59-year-old is optimistic about the return of key players for their Premier League game against United later in February.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner and Dominic Solanke are all sidelined with injuries.

Reflecting on the heavy defeat by Liverpool, Postecoglou said it was a tough loss but his focus was now on Villa.

“We were disappointed that the match didn’t go how we wanted and we didn’t perform at the levels – but that doesn’t define this group of players in my eyes,” the Australian added.

“We’ll go out there on Sunday and put out more of a performance that reflects where we’re at. I have a great deal of belief in these players and what they’re going through and how they’re dealing with it.” AFP, REUTERS