‘Marcus Rashford has club chiefs heads in hands after Aston Villa beat Chelsea’
Aston Villa signing Marcus Rashford on loan from Man United was a “masterclass”, according to Jamie Redknapp.
Rashford joined Aston Villa after moves to Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund fell through in January.
Ruben Amorim froze Rashford out of the Man United squad, having criticised the English winger’s professionalism.
Marco Asensio was signed on loan from PSG, as the Spaniard had fallen out of favour in the French capital.
Asensio and Rashford combined for Aston Villa’s goals against Chelsea, as the Midlands club came from behind to beat the Blues on Saturday evening (22 February).
Marcus Rashford puts doubts to bed after Chelsea comeback
Following his benching at United, many clubs were hesitant to take a chance on the 27-year-old.
Rashford has been on a decline since a stunning 2022/23 season, in which he scored 17 Premier League goals, but has been unable to replicate that form in recent years.
Former Liverpool player, Redknapp, gave his verdict on Villa’s decision to bring in Rashford and Asensio in January on Sky Sports Main Event saying (7.33pm):
“That’s how to do the transfer window. That’s how to handle it, that’s what you do, you go and do business.
“He obviously knows him extremely well [Asensio] and to bring in Marcus as well, that’s a masterclass in what you’re trying to do.
“You look at other clubs and how they didn’t bring players in, I’m sure there’s directors of football all round the world with their head in their hands right now, thinking ‘Why didn’t I get Marcus Rashford?’
“I get the doubts, I would have been one of them. I’d have been nervous about doing it. But right now Aston Villa look like they’ve really got great business done.”
Aston Villa have the momentum to qualify for Champions League again
Football Insider Verdict
Following a sluggish start to the season, the Villains now have the wind in their sails, as they soar up the Premier League table.
Rashford has been an inspired signing, and is inspiring the team around him, with players like Asensio, and Youri Tielemans clearly benefitting from the wingers talents.
| 2024/25 Premier League standings | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 1. Liverpool | 26 | +36 | 61 |
| 2. Arsenal | 26 | +28 | 53 |
| 3. Nottingham Forest | 25 | +12 | 47 |
| 4. Man City | 25 | +17 | 44 |
| 5. Bournemouth | 26 | +14 | 43 |
| 6. Chelsea | 26 | +12 | 43 |
| 7. Aston Villa | 27 | -2 | 32 |
The England international’s confidence clearly took a battering from the scrutiny he faced during his time in Manchester, and whilst the loan move may not be the clean break that he had hoped for, Rashford will have plenty of suitors in the summer, should he look to leave his boyhood club permanently.