Marcus Rashford is finding his rhythm at Aston Villa, scoring his first goals for the club during a dominant 3-0 FA Cup quarterfinal victory over Preston.
The forward, who joined Unai Emery’s side on loan in January after a turbulent spell at Manchester United, shared his excitement about the journey ahead and his belief that there’s much more to come.
After struggling to earn minutes under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, where questions about his training commitment arose, Rashford made the move to Villa Park with hopes of rejuvenating his career. His performance on Sunday showcased the steady progress he’s made in just a few months with Villa.
The highlight of the match came in the second half at Deepdale, where Rashford scored his first-ever Villa goal in the 58th minute and followed it up with another from the penalty spot just five minutes later. Jacob Ramsey completed the scoring with a strike in the 71st minute, but it was Rashford’s brace that caught the eye.
“Scoring goals always feels amazing, especially as a forward,” Rashford told the BBC after the game. “I feel like I’m slowly getting back to my best, becoming fitter and more comfortable in my game here at Villa. There’s a long way to go, and I’m excited for what’s next.”
Villa’s triumph secured a place in the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley, where they will meet Crystal Palace for a chance at a coveted cup final. On top of that, Emery’s men have advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain, marking an exciting period for the club.
As Villa sit just four points behind Chelsea in the Premier League, the team has its sights set on qualifying for next season’s Champions League, with a fifth-place finish looking increasingly likely. Rashford is focused on taking it “one game at a time,” emphasizing Villa’s ambitious mindset and hunger for success.
“I think we have a team that’s eager to win. We want to achieve as much as we can in every competition, and we’re determined to push ourselves for a top-four finish,” Rashford said.
Reflecting on his personal progress, Rashford explained that he’s taking a measured approach to getting back to his best. “It’s all about small steps,” he said. “I’m still building my fitness, especially after missing so much football earlier this season. Right now, my body feels good, and I’m just enjoying playing again.”
With his confidence growing and his body in peak condition, Rashford looks set to continue his rise at Villa, and he’s eager to contribute to the club’s ambitious goals both domestically and in Europe.
