Why Aston Villa could face ‘stumbling block’ in keeping loanees Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio – ‘Not guaranteed’
Published 03/05/2025 at 18:02 GMT+1
Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford have both delivered vital performances for Aston Villa as Unai Emery's side aim for a return to the UEFA Champions League with a top-five Premier League finish. Since joining on loan in January, both players have reignited their careers, and TNT Sports experts Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch discuss whether the pair will remain at Villa Park for next season.
Will Asensio and Rashford stay at Villa?
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Aston Villa's 1-0 win over Fulham enhanced their chances of securing a top-five Premier League finish that would see them return to the UEFA Champions League next season.
Having missed out on a Champions League semi-final and an FA Cup final in April, Villa's remaining three games in the league will demand perfection to ensure their return to Europe's elite club competition.
Two players key in helping push Unai Emery's side to that feat have been January loan signings Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford, from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, respectively.
Rashford has reignited his career at Villa Park with four goals and six assists in all competitions so far, but having picked up an injury, Villa are without his extra attacking prowess to see out the season.
Meanwhile, Asensio has contributed to eight goals and a single assist, including three strikes across Villa's last 16 legs against Club Brugge.
Should Villa miss out on a Champions League spot, Rio Ferdinand believes their season will be considered a disappointment.
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"I don't think it'll be looked at as a success," Ferdinand said. "I think there will be disappointment in the place, from the fans all the way up to the hierarchy that are running the club.
"I think those two additions during the season, Asensio and Marcus Rashford, were signs of the times they were hoping to maintain. If they don't get there, I think they'll see it as a disappointment in that sense."
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Rashford's return to United seems unlikely after he was not a part of Ruben Amorim's plans at Old Trafford.
A return to Birmingham could be on the cards for either player, but wages and the prospect of European football serve as barriers to those potential deals.
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"It's a difficult one," Crouch added. "Asensio's had a real big impact. Obviously, Rashford looks like he's enjoying his football again. The wages might be a stumbling block. Marcus is on a big wage, I'd imagine, and do Villa want to take that plunge?
"It's not guaranteed, obviously he's got another injury now which is disappointing for him, just when you feel like he's getting into his stride. But that's something that has to be evaluated in the summer."
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