Emiliano Martinez reacts to Marcus Rashford’s ‘tough’ Aston Villa message
Marcus Rashford was left determined in a message to Aston Villa supporters after falling short against Manchester City.
Aston Villa’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot took a hit after a narrow 2-1 defeat at the Etihad, with Pep Guardiola’s side snatching all three points in the final minutes.
Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, brought Villa level with a composed penalty after Bernardo Silva had given City the lead.
But the equaliser wasn’t enough, as Matheus Nunes netted late on, capitalising on a cut-back from Jeremy Doku following a brilliant run down the flank.
The England international was given the nod ahead of Ollie Watkins, who has been linked with a potential summer exit after limited minutes in recent weeks.
Unai Emery’s men now sit seventh in the Premier League, trailing City by four points, and remain locked in a tightly contested battle for one of the five Champions League places available this season.
Despite the setback, Rashford struck a determined tone in his message to fans, making it clear that the team remains focused heading into the crucial run-in.
| Premier League table | Points |
| 3. Man City | 61 |
| 4. Nottingham Forest | 60 |
| 5. Newcastle | 59 |
| 6. Chelsea | 57 |
| 7. Aston Villa | 57 |
Aston Villa eager to keep Marcus Rashford in permanent deal
The forward posted on Instagram with a heartfelt but focused message to fans, saying: “Losing a game in the last minutes was tough, but we have to stay focused and be ready for the next game.”
He received plenty of support for the post, with likes from Emi Martinez, Lucas Digne, and Manchester United teammate Diogo Dalot.
Since arriving on loan in January, the forward has been in sensational form, and Aston Villa are leading the race to sign Rashford and secure his signature permanently, despite interest from Barcelona.
However, should Villa fail to qualify for the Champions League, finances could become a stumbling block. Football Insider revealed Rashford would need to agree to a pay cut if he is to complete a permanent switch to Villa Park this summer, particularly if the club miss out on European football altogether.
Aston Villa weighing up Ollie Watkins future as Marcus Rashford form continues
Rashford’s emergence in the starting line-up has had a direct impact on Watkins’ game time, and a permanent deal for the United loanee could push the England international further down the pecking order.
Football Insider revealed that Aston Villa are prepared for incoming offers for Watkins, with both Liverpool and Manchester United monitoring the striker’s situation closely.
Although Emery remains keen to keep Watkins as part of his squad, there is a growing feeling within the club that his future could be in doubt if a significant offer is tabled in the summer.