The January transfer window slammed shut yesterday and Aston Villa turned out to be one of the biggest movers. The Villans brought in five players, namely Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, Donyell Malen, Axel Disasi and Andres Garcia.
The Villa board invested heavily up front and Rashford, arguably, is the most high-profile name to make the move to Birmingham. He joins Villa on a loan spell, looking to resurrect his career which had taken a nosedive at Manchester United.
We discussed this move with ex Man Utd star and two-time Premier League winner, Paul Parker, who expressed his surprise at the move. Parker didn’t hold back in his assessment of the move, saying that the microscope will be on Rashford and Villa for the rest of the season.
I’m surprised Emery decided to bring in ‘lazy’ Marcus Rashford
Parker is clearly not a fan of Rashford and expressed his surprise at the Manchester United star joining Villa on loan. The former England international is unsure whether Aston Villa manager Unai Emery really wanted Rashford and states that it is a gamble to bring on a player of his stature.
“Aston Villa has gotten themselves a prominent name. Everyone was talking about him two years ago, but today it is a big gamble to sign him. I don’t know how big of a say the manager had. I am surprised that Emery has decided to take Rashford on. I am really surprised he has taken on that challenge.”
Where Rashford will play for Villa is also something that Parker questions, as there will be a lot of competition on the wings, and Rashford doesn’t prefer playing centrally.
“I wonder where he is going to play him. He doesn’t want to play as a centre forward, and they have good players on the left wing.”
Parker also leaves a warning for Emery saying that Rashford’s laziness can come through at Villa too, as he didn’t hesitate to show it for his boyhood club.
“Rashford is known for being lazy, and that is what everyone is thinking about. He did it to his local team, so he can do it to anyone.”
Villa and Rashford will be under the microscope
Parker believes that this move will bring both club and player under the microscope and their performances will be scrutinized all the time. He also thinks that the rumours linking Rashford to FC Barcelona and AC Milan didn’t have legs and Villa was the only choice for the Manchester native.
“Barcelona, AC Milan and Monaco were mentioned. I don’t think any of those rumours were serious, and now he is going to Birmingham to play for Aston Villa. He is under the microscope.
“Man United, Rashford, Aston Villa and Emery will all be under the microscope. Everyone knows about Marcus Rashford, even the guy who works in the local bank who doesn’t know anything about football. And it is not good things he has heard about him.”
The two-time Premier League winner says that Rashford is the one to be blamed for this move and warns him that he won’t be protected by his local fan base if he doesn’t perform at Villa Park.
“His fanboys will try to blame Man United, but Rashford is the only one to be blamed, and he has to go and say that publicly.
“He will have to work very hard now. He is not protected by his local fans anymore from his own home town club. Maybe it can take some pressure away from him, but it will be very tough for him.”
Aston Villa are set to return to action this weekend, as they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, in what should be an entertaining battle between both teams. Villa are priced at 4/5 on bet365 to come out on top against Spurs, as they look to progress to the next round of the competition.
