Marcus Rashford’s attempt to revitalize his career took a significant step forward with his first start for Aston Villa, facing a formidable opponent in Liverpool. The Manchester United loanee played 67 minutes in Wednesday’s thrilling 2-2 home draw against the Premier League leaders.
At 27 years old and with 60 caps for England, Rashford has much to prove—not only to rejuvenate his club career but also to impress the new Three Lions boss, Thomas Tuchel. His performance at Villa Park was noteworthy.
One standout moment was when he sprinted across the pitch to pressure Trent Alexander-Arnold, forcing the usually composed player to relinquish possession. Rashford’s exceptional close control allows him to maintain his speed while attacking defenders.
His commitment to the game was evident, contrasting sharply with his final days at Manchester United. He effectively neutralized Alexander-Arnold’s attacking threat for most of the match, keeping the full-back cautious about advancing too far.
While Rashford may regret not tracking Alexander-Arnold during his equalizer, his visible frustration showed his dedication to the team’s success.
In terms of ball usage, Rashford was generally tidy, though he displayed some signs of rust with an errant cross. However, he linked well with teammates, displaying growing understanding of their movements. Notably, he confidently nutmegged Alexis Mac Allister to win a free kick that led to Villa’s equalizer.
Rashford came close to scoring, notably with a swift 1-2 with Marco Asensio that almost resulted in an opener, only to be caught offside. He nearly scored again early in the second half, chipping the ball over goalkeeper Alisson, only for Ibrahima Konate to clear it off the line.
Despite not finding the net, Rashford’s performance indicated that goals will come with time. He followed Unai Emery’s tactical instructions diligently, tracking back defensively and pushing high in possession to create space. Overall, it was an impressive first full game for Rashford at Aston Villa.
