Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has hailed the impact of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio after their impressive debuts in the club’s 2-1 FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on Sunday night.
Rashford, signed on loan from Manchester United, and Asensio, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain, came off the bench in the second half, injecting fresh energy into Villa’s attack. The duo joined the action moments after Morgan Rogers put Villa ahead, helping secure the club’s first FA Cup fifth-round appearance in over a decade.
Emery’s Verdict on Rashford and Asensio
Speaking after the match, Emery expressed satisfaction with the new signings’ contributions.
“They were consistent and focused,” he said. “We saw their skill and how they helped us today. They will be very important for us in the coming months as we compete in different competitions.”
The Spanish tactician also emphasized Villa’s evolving tactical approach following the mid-season squad additions.
“We are in a new phase after the changes we made. We still need to improve tactically, but the players are responding well. Rashford and Asensio bring a new dimension to our attack.”
Aston Villa’s Growing Ambitions
Villa’s FA Cup run reflects their ambitions under Emery, who has transformed the team into a top-four Premier League contender this season. With Rashford and Asensio now in the squad, Villa looks poised for an even stronger push in the coming months.
The Villans will now turn their attention back to Premier League action, where they will face Newcastle United in their next fixture.
