Aston Villa face arguably their biggest match of the season tonight as the club travel to Belgium to face Club Brugge in the last-16 of the Champions League.
A win would set them up nicely for the second leg at Villa Park and Unai Emery will be doing everything he possibly can to ensure they return to the Midlands with a lead.
Villa reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup courtesy of a 2-0 win over Cardiff City last week, a game in which Marcus Rashford shone.
Marcus Rashford’s impressive numbers since signing for Aston Villa
Since arriving from Manchester United on a six-month loan deal, he has yet to score but has provided three assists. Two came against Chelsea in the Premier League, while another was recorded on Friday evening in the cup.
The Englishman started on the left wing against the Championship side and looked lively throughout, delivering nine crosses into the penalty area, while making six key passes, registering six shots in total and creating two big chances during the game.
It was a sublime performance, one that Emery must have envisaged Rashford delivering upon his arrival. With so many options in the final third, shoehorning everyone in wasn’t going to work. Therefore, the manager had to be patient and find out exactly who works best with who.
It appears as though Rashford and fellow January arrival, Marco Asensio, work extremely well together, shining during the clash against Cardiff.
|
Rashford & Asensio vs Cardiff City |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Metric |
Rashford |
Asensio |
|
Goals |
0 |
2 |
|
Assists |
1 |
0 |
|
Key passes |
6 |
2 |
|
Big chances created |
2 |
1 |
|
Total shots |
6 |
4 |
|
Stats via Sofascore. |
||
This depth in the final third could propel the club to win their first major trophy since 1996, as they shouldn’t be counted out in either the FA Cup or Champions League.
That said, the United loanee could be back among the subs on Tuesday evening.
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Who should replace Rashford in the Aston Villa lineup
For the tie against Brugge, however, Emery must use the England international as an impact player, bringing Morgan Rogers back into the starting XI.
Rashford last played a match in the Champions League in November 2023 and hasn’t scored at this level since October 2021.
|
Marcus Rashford in the UCL |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
33 |
|
Goals |
12 |
|
Assists |
3 |
|
Minutes played |
2,031 |
|
Tournament debut |
2017 vs Basel |
|
Last goal |
2021 vs Atalanta |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt. |
|
Thus, dropping him to the bench in order to restore Rogers to the starting XI makes perfect sense. The former Middlesbrough sensation scored a hat-trick against Celtic while grabbing an assist during the win over Bologna earlier this season.
Jamie Carragher previously dubbed the youngster as “unstoppable” last year and when in full flow, opposition defences find it extremely difficult to stop him.
As well as his goal contributions in Europe’s premier club competition, Rogers has managed to create three big chances, while averaging 1.6 key passes and succeeding with 3.3 dribbles per game – a success rate of 58% – which has helped Villa reach the last 16 of the competition.
Rashford may have delivered a superb performance against Cardiff, but making that step up to the Champions League after several months away might come too soon.
Therefore, Emery must unleash his trusted lieutenant Rogers against the Belgian outfit this evening, and it is a game where he can utilise his attacking abilities to secure a win for Villa.
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