Aston Villa coach Emery ready for ‘huge challenge’ of revitalising Rashford

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said he has a challenge ahead to get the best out of Marcus Rashford but still sees big potential in the 27-year-old.

Rashford joined Villa on loan for the rest of the season this week after being discarded by Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.

The England international has not played since December 12 but Emery is confident he can get Rashford back fit and firing in the final four months of the season.

“I’m very happy with him,” said Emery on Friday. “The conversation we had was very normal, speaking about football and what I want of him. I think his potential is still big. I don’t want to know the reason he is leaving from Manchester United,” he said.

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“I am very happy to have him here, to try to help him to recover his performances. My challenge with him is a huge challenge. His challenge as well with us is a very exciting challenge.”

Rashford could make his Villa debut when it hosts Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

Emery’s men also have the last 16 of the Champions League to look forward to and are in the running for a top-four finish in the Premier League that would take them back into Europe’s top competition next season.

The Spaniard’s faith in Rashford was shown as he was added to Villa’s squad for the knockout stages of the Champions League, along with fellow loan signings Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi.

Clubs are only allowed to add three new players to the squad they named for the group stage of the Champions League. Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia missed out despite joining on permanent deals last month.

“We changed five players and can only register three,” added Emery. “Of course, it’s not a good decision I had to take yesterday, but I spoke with Andres and Donyell to tell th