Unai Emery has suggested that Marcus Rashford‘s versatility will help Aston Villa “get to the level we want” – and that the loanee’s ability to play several positions has been a factor in him leapfrogging Ollie Watkins in the pecking order.
Rashford was out in the cold at Manchester United and had underperformed for 18 months before moving to Villa Park in January. He’s quickly rediscovered his best form and is now starting and regularly influencing games for the Midlands outfit.
His exploits have seen Watkins have to accept a bench role – which he’s confessed has been frustrating. Rashford was picked to start in the recent crunch games with PSG and Emery has admitted that forwards capable of playing in more that one role are “better”.
The United loanee has played centrally through the middle but equally has been effective when playing out wide, where he’s put his pace to good use. Emery admits that Villa are a better side with Rashford at their disposal ahead of a huge summer for the player and the two clubs.
Emery said: “You always need two strikers and being versatile is better. Rashford is versatile. I want to have players like these two as we try to get to the level we want. I like to have players in the squad at the level those two have shown us. My job is to share the playing time between both, manage the person as well as the professional, as well as the tactical idea and my selection for each match.
“I want to have the same selection problems I have had in the last matches we have played. Some players will be on the bench but they are very important and they have showed it this season by making an impact. That’s what I want. I had more problems when I didn’t have enough players to play at the level I wanted. Now I have enough to compete at this level and we can see the difference between how we are now and how we were six months ago.”
Watkins has started on the bench in three of the last five Premier League games. Villa can land Rashford for £40million in the summer should the player be keen on making his move permanent. He wants to play in the Champions League – which Villa could yet offer him.
Ruben Amorim has not completely shut the door Rashford and claimed the forward could still have a future in Manchester, despite being shipped out on loan to Villa and failing to feature for more than a month before his exit as the pair clashed over their attitudes.
“All the players on loan will return and then the club will decide what to do at the end of the season,” the Portuguese boss said on Friday. “When you put a player on loan the best thing is for them to perform. All these [loan] players have talent and they have to put that on the team. The talent of Rashford, the talent of Antony, they all have talent. We are really happy because if you put players on loan you want them to perform. That is good for us.”
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