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Unai Emery admits it wasn’t easy for him to tell Donyell Malen that he had been left out of Aston Villa’s Champions League squad for the knockout rounds.

 

UEFA rules stipulate that Villa could only add three new players to the squad which they named for the league phase, despite letting go of six players from List A in the winter window. Only clubs whose domestic league start and finish in the same calendar year have the possibility of adding more than three players.

 

Villa signed five players in the winter window, starting with Malen and Andres Garcia for a combined £26m. Then, three loan moves were completed in as many days at the end of the window as Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi all signed on.

 

“But we have other objectives, the FA Cup and also the Premier League as a priority. We needed to take the decision in the Champions League for the rules, in the window we did more than we wanted.

 

“How we are now in the squad with some centre-backs not being available and being injured, I spoke with him and tried to be honest and knowing it was not fair for him. But the necessity decision I had to take was in that direction.

 

“Today he was training well and of course he is going to play hopefully for a long time here and hopefully in the Champions League for the next years.”

 

Marcus Rashford was perhaps the biggest name to make a move in the winter transfer window.

 

Rashford wanted to leave Manchester United in January, and he got his wish as he joined Aston Villa on loan late in the day.

 

Rashford has been tipped to succeed at Aston Villa after making this move to the Midlands, and Unai Emery apparently has high hopes for the player too.

 

Indeed, according to David Ornstein, speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Emery is a huge fan of Rashford. In fact, according to the journalist, Emery believes Rashford is genuinely one of the top talents in world football and that he is the right coach to get him back to the top level.

 

Unai Emery, Manager of Aston Villa, looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between AS Monaco and Aston Villa FC a…

 

How Unai Emery views Marcus Rashford

Ornstein shared what he knows about Rashford and how Emery views him.

 

The journalist says that Emery really rates Rashford, so much so that he thinks he’s one of the best in world football.

 

“Maybe their priorities lay elsewhere. Maybe for whatever reason, having seen him not playing at Manchester United, they didn’t immediately say, oh, come and play for Aston Villa. But Unai Emery loves Marcus Rashford as a player,” Ornstein said.

 

He believes, whether we like it or not, that Rashford is one of the best in world football and that he is the perfect coach to bring him back to his top level. And therefore, they will see this being a successful partnership in the Premier League, in the Champions League, and maybe beyond, hence the 40 million pound buy option. With all of that in mind, I don’t think Manchester United envisage him being part of their future.”

 

Unai Emery record of improving attackers

Unai Emery has been criticised at times during his career after disappointing spells with the likes of PSG and Arsenal.

 

However, even the biggest Emery detractor can’t knock his record for getting the best out of his attackers.

 

Indeed, many top strikers have had the best periods of their careers under Unai Emery.

 

Players with most goals under Unai Emery Goals per game under Unai Emery Career goals per game

 

As the stats show, attacking players often play the best football of their careers under Unai Emery.

 

Ollie Watkins has improved under Unai Emery, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won a Golden Boot under the Spanish gaffer at Arsenal.

 

Emery believes he’s the right manager to bring the best out of Rashford, and he may not be wrong.

 

The Aston Villa boss is one of the best in the world at helping attacking players reach their potential, and his record attests to that.

 

 

Following Jhon Duran’s January 31 transfer to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, Sporting Director Monchi has harshly criticized the Saudi Pro League. Duran’s income will be quadrupled under the arrangement in comparison to his prior compensation at the Birmingham club.

Monchi voiced skepticism about the Premier League’s financial might in comparison to its Saudi counterparts, implying that the latter’s financial influence had drawn players away from Europe’s elite leagues.

He is still doubtful that the Saudi Pro League’s financial appeal can be matched by its competitive standards.

“The economic potential of Arab football isn’t even in the Premier League; it’s a significant rival as it attracts signings,” Monchi said in an interview with Radioestaido Noche on Onda Cero.

Suarez, who managed Duran at FC in Colombia, called the criticism “stupid” and underlined that no one would reject a €100 million contract.

He remarked, “When he was first trained at Envigado, they talked about financial stability rather than glory.

Getting financial support is the first step toward these young athletes’ success. He went on to say, “Jhon will be financially independent enough to pursue grandiose aspirations by the time he gets 26.

In addition to receiving recognition for his lifetime of hard work, he will be able to develop as a player in Saudi Arabia by growing up with greats like Sadio Mané and Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

 

Aston Villa were the busiest Premier League side throughout the winter transfer window.

 

No Premier League club made more signings than the five new faces who arrived at Villa Park – with Unai Emery welcoming Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi to Aston Villa on deadline day.

 

They followed Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen – who were announced earlier in the window along with Andres Garcia.

 

These five should inject some real quality into Aston Villa’s squad as they prepare for a busy end to the season, which involves a fight to rise higher than eighth in the Premier League, while also hoping to progress in the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.

 

 

In the latter competition – however – Emery now has a huge selection headache.

 

Unai Emery will have to leave two new signings out of the UEFA Champions League

Emery can only include three of his five new signings in the squad for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase.

 

Rule 32.01 in the UEFA regulations states: “After the completion of the league phase and before the start of the knockout phase, a club may register a maximum of three new eligible players for the remaining matches in the current competition. Such registrations must be completed by 6 February 2025 (24:00 CET) at the latest.”

 

That means Emery will have to disappoint two of his five new signings when the Spaniard selects his 21-man squad.

 

Why Aston Villa must prioritise Marcus Rashford, Donyell Malen and Marco Asensio

It would be harsh to axe Disasi – who Tottenham also wanted – and Garcia from the UEFA Champions League.

 

However, Rashford, Malen and Asensio all boast a vast amount of UEFA Champions League experience, and could therefore prove to be difference makers in these knockout games, which are often tense affairs in which individuals need to step up and show their quality.

 

Marco Asensio of Real Madrid celebrates with the trophy after his side won the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at NSC…

 

Asensio even boasts three UEFA Champions League titles to his name from his time at Real Madrid, having scored 12 goals and provided five assists across his 69 appearances in the competition, so we feel the Spain international must be included.

 

In regards to Malen – who cost £22m – the Dutchman only has six goals and one assist in 31 UEFA Champions League outings, but did help Borussia Dortmund reach the final last season, so his experience this term will be invaluable.

 

Last but not least, Rashford has registered 12 goals and three assists in 33 UEFA Champions League games, but only ever progressed as far as the quarter-final stage with Manchester United.

 

 

 

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has given Marcus Rashford a new nickname following his loan move to Aston Villa.

 

De Gea, 34, is currently at Fiorentina in Serie A, having left United in the summer of 2023.

 

The Spaniard played with Rashford 294 times and they clearly still have a close relationship.

 

Rashford, 27, has now completed a loan move to Aston Villa for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign, with Villa holding an option to make the move permanent for £40m in the summer.

 

The Athletic reports that Villa will cover a minimum of 75 percent of his wages and even up to 90 percent when performance-based bonuses are considered.

 

On Sunday evening, the England international posted two photographs of him clad in Aston Villa gear to his Instagram account with the caption: “I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen.

 

“I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision – I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the managers’ ambitions. I just want to play football and am excited to get started.

 

“I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”

 

Marcus Rashford has completed a loan move to Aston Villa

Marcus Rashford has completed a loan move to Aston Villa

Several of his former teammates – including Antony, Scott McTominay and his new colleague Leon Bailey – weighed in with messages of support in the comments section.

 

 

 

But fans noticed that De Gea had given his former United teammate a new nickname, with the ‘keeper adding a comment which read: “The Wonder Kid”.

 

The former Spain international has always been a huge supporter of Rashford and even backed him to “make history” at the Red Devils when speaking in 2016.

 

“It’s unbelievable, no?” he told Sky Sports. “This player is really young and he’s scored many goals.

 

“Hopefully, for many years, he’ll be in this club and can make history for the club as well. He’s a shy guy, he is a really good lad and a good team-mate. He’s a really good guy.”

 

 

 

Rashford’s first appearance for his new club could come on Sunday 9 February when Unai Emery’s side take on Tottenham in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Villa Park.

 

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Marcus Rashford, a recent acquisition, will wear Aston Villa’s No. 9 shirt for the rest of the season, the club has revealed.

Over the weekend, Rashford moved from Manchester United to Villa on a temporary loan that will last until the end of the season.

Rashford has made 426 senior appearances for United, scoring 138 goals. He did, however, play his final game for the Red Devils on December 12 prior to a falling out with manager Ruben Amorim. “I want to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen,” Rashford stated after completing his first trade of his career.

Marcus Rashford, a forward for Manchester United, is spending the rest of the season on loan at Aston Villa.

The 27-year-old is Villa’s third acquisition of the January transfer window, after Netherlands international Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund and Spanish full-back Andres Garcia from Levante.

Rashford has made 15 Premier League appearances for Manchester United this season.

He scored two goals in a 4-0 victory against Everton a week later, and he also scored in head coach Ruben Amorim’s debut game, a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town on November 24.

Since being excluded from the team for the Manchester derby on December 15, he has not featured.

A product of United’s academy, Rashford joined the team at the age of seven and made his senior debut in 2016, scoring twice in the UEFA Europa League against FC Midtjylland before doing the same in the Premier League against Arsenal.

Rashford posted on his Instagram account, “I want to thank Aston Villa and Manchester United for making this loan deal possible.”

“Aston Villa was a simple choice for me, even if I was fortunate to have a few clubs approach me.

I truly respect the team’s performance this season and the goals of the coaches.

All I want to do is play football, and I can’t wait to get started.

“I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”

In 2022–2023, he had his most successful season, scoring 30 goals across all competitions, becoming the first United player to do so since Robin van Persie in 2013. That season, he was named the Players’ Player of the Year as well as the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year.

Rashford has been active in humanitarian endeavors off the field, most notably advocating for free school meals for disadvantaged kids in the UK.

In 2021, he received an MBE in appreciation of his work. Rashford has made 426 appearances in all competitions while at Old Trafford, winning two FA Cups, two EFL Cups, and the Europa League with 138 goals.

Rashford has scored 17 goals and gained 60 caps for his country.

 

 

 

The West Midlands club have the option to make the deal permanent for £40million.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have completed the signing of left-back Patrick Dorgu for a fee in the region of £29m.

Elsewhere, Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of Matheus Cunha after the forward signed a new contract at Wolves on Saturday night.

The Premier League’s winter transfer window, which began on January 1, 2025, ends on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 11 p.m.

GMT. La Liga adheres to the same schedule, although Serie A closes at 7 p.m. and the Bundesliga at 5 p.m.

Ange Postecoglou has reacted to Spurs signing Kevin Danso.

“Brilliant [to get him], I think Kevin will be a great fit for us,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports.

“We’re a little bit short at the back, have been for a while and he’s just really experienced, a good one-on-one defender.

“I’ve said before that getting new players in gives us energy and will give the group energy. I’m looking forward to him being part of the group.”

Aston Villa is still interested in acquiring Joao Felix.

Deals for Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford are already in the works for Unai Emery’s team. Additionally, they wish to bolster their team with Portuguese players.

However, Fabrizio Romano discloses that a transaction is “complicated.”

Kieran Trippier is reportedly a transfer target for Galatasaray.

According to the report, Eddie Howe is hesitant to let go of the full-back, despite the fact that the defender is not popular at Newcastle.

There is still time for a deal to happen because the Turkish transfer window ends on February 11.

Jorginho of Arsenal is reportedly on the verge of leaving the Emirates. The midfielder for the Gunners has a summer contract expiration date.

The former Chelsea player is reportedly in negotiations with Flamengo, according to Sky Italia.

He is prepared to sign a pre-contract with the Brazilian team, they add.

Mathys Tell wants to transfer to Old Trafford, and Manchester United has won the competition to sign him.

But there’s a catch, according to Sky Sports Germany. While his club, Bayern Munich, wants a permanent transfer, the Red Devils desire a loan move. We’ll have to see this one tomorrow.

Nico O’Reilly, a young player for Man City, is someone Chelsea is certain they can sign.

The England U20 midfielder is not eager to leave the Cityzens. Last month, during the FA Cup match against Salford City, O’Reilly scored his first goal for the team.

Matheus Cunha, a standout for Wolves, has agreed to a new deal at Molineux. Cunha’s new contract with the Wolverhampton Giants runs through 2029.

The dynamic forward was linked to teams like Arsenal and Manchester United.

The Brazil international, however, has no intention of departing during the January transfer window, as SunSport disclosed.

Marcus Rashford, a star for Manchester United, is scheduled to get a medical at Aston Villa today before making a significant loan move.

According to reports, Villa would pay 70% of Rashford’s wage through the end of the current campaign.

For a £40 million fee, the Villans will have the opportunity to turn the loan into a permanent deal.

Additionally, the England international may be offered a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Sponsored by The January transfer window is about to come to a crazy end! Before making a huge loan move, Marcus Rashford is scheduled to get a medical at Aston Villa today.

Promotion For £40 million, the West Midlands club can choose to finalize the agreement. Patrick Dorgu, a left-back, has been signed by Manchester United for an estimated £29 million.

In other news, Matheus Cunha signed a new contract with Wolves on Saturday night, dealing Arsenal a serious setback in their pursuit of the attacker.

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Every post was updated eighteen minutes ago.

According to reports, Juventus, an Italian powerhouse, has agreed to buy Lloyd Kelly from Newcastle. The Magpies will pay £20 million for the defender, according to The Telegraph.

Edwin van der Sar, the former goalie for Manchester United, has informed Ruben Amorim about the squad’s weak points.

“Manchester United needs consistent performances,” the Dutchman told Oddspedia.

“Reentering the Champions League this year is probably not going to happen since there are too many clubs ahead of the top four.

“United should be okay to contend for those spots once more with a strong preseason and one or two decent additions up front and possibly in midfield.

These days, they have good, technical individuals on board when it comes to signings.

“They are undoubtedly qualified to bring in the appropriate individuals.”

 

With Manchester United apparently adding a £40 million buyout option to the contract, Marcus Rashford is getting closer to joining Aston Villa on loan.

For the remainder of the season, Villa has agreed to pay 70% of Rashford’s £325,000 weekly salary through a loan, according to Fabrizio Romano.

He adds that a possible three-and-a-half-year contract may follow the £40 million ($49.5 million/€48.8 million) buyout option. On Sunday, a medical appointment is also scheduled.

Six weeks ago, Rashford made it clear that he wanted to leave United, but few anticipated that the England international would be benched for almost two months due to a continuing conflict with head coach Ruben Amorim.

However, the 27-year-old appears to be on his way out of Old Trafford after a string of unsuccessful attempts, matchday banishments, and other false dawns.

Following the sale of striker Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League late last month, Villa has been searching for a forward.

Rashford may join England teammate Ollie Watkins in Unai Emery’s offensive line-up if selected.

With the winter transfer window closing at 11 p.m. on Monday, Villa, who are four spots and eight points clear of 12th-place United, has a limited amount of time to complete this transaction.