Emery on “Fascinating” Rashford, Watkins Fitness for Spurs Game and Smubs of the Champions League

Aston Villa Unai Emery looks forward to the “fascinating” challenge to help January sign Marcus Rashford back to his previous heights.

Rashford joined the villa for a loan from Manchester United by the end of the season in the last days of the January window after falling from his favorable, under Red Devils Boss Ruben Amorim.

The 27 -year -old has not been presented for United since early December, with Amorim questioning Forward’s commitment before going to the second city.

But his new manager Emery says he is “very happy” with international England and says he is willing to take him back to shoot again.

“I’m very happy with him,” Emery said.

“The discussion we had was very normal, talking about football and what I want about him.

“I think his potential is still great. I don’t want to know the reason he leaves Manchester United.

“I am very happy to have him here, to try to help him recover his performances.

“My challenge with him is a huge challenge. His challenge with us is a very exciting challenge. I am very happy.”

Villa Team News: Watkins and Mings Out

UNAI gave information about the news news of the team before Sunday’s match 📰

– Aston Villa (@avfcofficial) 7 February 2025

Rashford could make his villa debut when he faces Tottenham in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

United Loanee could even be delivered a start forward, after Emery revealed that striker Ollie Watkins will lose the game at Villa Park, uniting four other absences on the sidelines.

“We will work tomorrow, but at first, we have out. They are not available for Sunday, Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres, Cash, Ross Barkley and Watkins,” the Spaniard said.

Speaking specifically about Watkins, he added: “For him, every day is important, how he feels, but for Sunday, I think he is not going to be available because he does not train today.

“Tomorrow, I think he is not going to train as well, because it will take more days to recover.

“Hopefully, for next week, it will be available.”

Champions League snubs

Villa was one of the busiest sides during the January transfer window, bringing to Rashford as well as Marco Asensio, Axel Disasi, Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia, with Jhon Duran, Emiliano Buendia and Diego Carlos.

The Champions League rules dictate that only three changes can be made to the Team Champions League teams for the second half of the campaign, which led Malen-who joined Borussia Dortmund-and the right-back of Garcia was left out.

“The decision we had to make yesterday and is out – Andres Garcia and also Donyell Malen,” Emery explained.

“It wasn’t a good decision to make, but I talked to Andres and I talked to Donyell to tell them the decision.”