Unai Emery remains tight-lipped on Marcus Rashford's impending loan move to Aston Villa but insists his side 'need some players' before the transfer deadline on Monday. Aston Villa suffered a shock 2-0 defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday night, hampering their chances to close the gap on fourth-placed Manchester City.
Emery's side missed the opportunity to bridge the point gap, having lost their seventh Premier League match following Champions League play. Goals from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha propelled Wolves to victory, and Emery was disappointed with his team's performance.
“We need some players,” he told the BBC post-match. “We need to replace some players who left. Tomorrow and Monday are the last two days. I think we’ll get some players to help us because we're competing at the Champions League level. We have to aim for the top eight and beyond,” he added.
The defeat marked yet another setback for Villa, who have seen key players leaving the squad, including Jhon Duran, who made a high-profile £65 million move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr. Rashford, who is reportedly on the verge of joining Villa for the remainder of the season, has been the subject of much speculation this transfer window.
After the loss against Wolves, Emery reiterated the significance of bolstering his squad, especially following Duran's departure and Ollie Watkins' injury during the match, which left Villa with fewer attacking options. “It's not easy because we don’t want to replace with players who will not help us as I want. We are being very demanding,” Emery continued.
While Emery dodged questions about Rashford directly, the buzz around his potential signing has exploded, with reports indicating Rashford has said goodbye to his Manchester United teammates as he edges closer to the exit. Both clubs have reportedly been engaging over the loan terms, particularly over the wage distribution of Rashford's significant salary of £320,000 per week.
Emery's commitment to strengthening the squad reflects the urgency to recover from the disappointing loss and improve their league standing. “We need fresh legs,” he suggested, acknowledging past struggles against teams at the upper echelons of the table. “We competed but didn’t control the game well enough. I think we deserved to lose,” he added, indicating the need for changes.
Speculation grows as to how Rashford would fit within Villa's strategic approach. Historically, he has been best utilized as a left-wing attacker, though he possesses the versatility to adapt to both central-forward and right-wing roles, which could provide Villa with multiple avenues of attack.
Emery's history of rejuvenation for players experiencing dips, as illustrated with former talents like Marcos Alonso and Joao Felix, points to potential success for Rashford, who has shown flashes of brilliance but struggles with consistency at United. “If there is a coach who can recover and get the best out of players, it’s Unai Emery,” said Monchi, emphasizing the Villa manager's ability to turn careers around.
Villa's approach to Rashford stems from belief among the coaching staff—a desire to tap deeply onto his attacking prowess and help him regain the form he once exhibited as one of England's preeminent forwards. Rashford's arrival could bolster the club's ambitions as they look to secure European football for next season.
Despite the palpable anticipation around Rashford's loan, Emery remains grounded, preferring to adopt cautious optimism with only days left before the transfer window slams shut. “We’re working hard to get players,” said Emery. “But I won’t comment on individuals until things are confirmed.”
The clock is ticking, and the pressure mounts as Aston Villa work tirelessly to finalize this pivotal signing and to contend for their goals this season. The urgency felt at Villa Park remains high, and all eyes are on whether they can secure Rashford's services before Monday's transfer deadline.