Marcus Rashford has submitted a stunning second half display for Aston Villa against PSG in the Champions League, but the mixed form of the man utd-longelee still causes frustration
A former Aston Villa star has expressed its frustration about the inconsistent form of Marcus Rashford after their quarter-finals exit from Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain. Rashford was chosen to start in both legs of the draw by Unai Emery, but looked isolated last week when Villa fell on a 3-1 defeat in Paris.
The 27-year-old also started badly in Villa Park on Tuesday before he produced an impressive second half performance. Rashford's assist for the goal of Ezri Konsa pulled the night in the eye, because it led the Midlands side and reduced the shortage to 5-4 on aggregated.
However, it was not enough to force extra time and former Villa striker Dean Saunders wondered why Rashford cannot show his quality more often. He also criticized Emery because he did not start from Ollie Watkins in addition to the loan of Manchester United.
It was the third consecutive game in which Rashford got the kink for Watkins, despite the total of his teammate of 15 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season. Saunders made his comments after claiming that Watkins is the only villa man who is able to go into the team for Liverpool or Manchester City.
On Talksport, the former Liverpool striker said: “Rashford was poor in PSG and I thought you couldn't go there with ten men. Last night he was clearly talented, and he has that performance in him. He makes the goal for Konsa brilliant, beats two men and he looks dangerous.
“That is the frustrating part of him. I thought he was doing well, but how can you omit Ollie Watkins? He is probably their best player, and probably the only player they have in the Liverpool and Man City teams.
“Not to start in that game, I would be stripped if I was. What is wrong with playing two in advance? It is as if they are allergic to play two in the front. Certainly, he could have placed him there with Rashford.”
After Tuesday's game, Emery refused to be attracted by the future of Rashford at Villa, who have an option of £ 40 million to sign it permanently from United when the summer transfer window is opened. “It's hard to plan it now,” De Spaniard told Prime Video Sport.
“Of course he feels better and today he played a fantastic match and we are very happy and especially he is happy. So we are happy with him and he is happy with us that this is important with the process we have.”
In the meantime, Watkins has admitted that he has remained frustrated by his limited number of starts in recent weeks. However, he also acknowledged the high level of competition for places in the Villa Ploeg.
Speaking before Tuesday's game, the 29-year-old said: “I think this is certain, probably the best Villa team there is in terms of depth and quality. [It is] A little headache for the manager.
“With a completely fitting team, Ross Barkley, an incredible player, misses the list. So it shows the depth we have. For me I am not happy to sit on the couch.
“It is disappointing every match that I am on the couch, but it is the decision of the manager at the end of the day. All you can make when you come to the field is trying to make an impact and then go from there.”
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