Marcus Rashford will be hoping to get his career back on track in the coming weeks after completing a loan move from Manchester United to Aston Villa.

Rashford’s position at Old Trafford had looked increasingly difficult since the start of 2025, following his comment on wanting to move on in search of a new challenge, as part of an interview with English journalist Henry Winter.

Ruben Amorim opted to omit the England international from his first team plans since that remark in mid-December and Villa have now pounced to bolster their forward line.

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Jhon Duran’s move to Saudi Pro League giants Al Nassr has torn a hole in Unai Emery’s attack, with the Spanish boss facing a busy run of games until the end of the campaign, including a first-ever spot in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

Rashford will join up with his new teammates in the next 24 hours and Villa fans will be keen to see the 27-year-old in action in claret and blue.

When will Marcus Rashford debut for Aston Villa?

The deal to bring Rashford to Villa Park is a straight loan agreement between the two clubs with a non-mandatory purchase clause at the end of the campaign.

Emery and the Villa hierarchy battled to downgrade United’s request for the clause to be obligatory, as they want to assess Rashford in close quarters, before making a long term decision on his future.

Rashford passed his Villa medical with no issues, but he is short on match fitness, with no action at United since December 12.

That gap will mean Emery and his coaching staff will continue to assess Rashford ahead of a potential debut as Villa face three successive home games this month.

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Up next is an FA Cup Fourth Round clash against Tottenham on February 9, followed by a Premier League clash with Ipswich Town six days later, and Rashford is tipped to feature in both games off the bench.

That would flag up as a club and EPL debut respectively for Villa, but his readiness to start matches remains unclear, and a first start could be pushed back to March.

Ollie Watkins is expected to miss the Tottenham and Ipswich games with a groin injury but Leon Bailey and Donyell Malen are ahead of Rashford in race to replace him.

Marcus Rashford’s 2024/25 stats, goals scored

2024/25 has been the trickiest of Rashford’s career with just four EPL goals scored at United and seven netted across all competitions. However, it comes as part of a wider form slide for him, with eight scored in the entirety of 2023/24 on the back of a brilliant 30 goals in 2022/23.

Emery will not put a figure on what he expects from Rashford, but breaking the 10-goal EPL mark split across United and Villa would be a positive step, and just the second time he has managed it four seasons.

Where will Marcus Rashford play at Aston Villa?

Villa fans will be looking to see Rashford lighten the goal burden on Watkins in the weeks ahead and his skillset should suit the 4-2-3-1 system.

Rashford’s most likely spot will be on the left-side of attacking trio in behind Watkins, alongside Morgan Rogers as a No.10, with Bailey and captain John McGinn battling for the other spot.