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Unai Emery discusses Marcus Rashford’s form and Ollie Watkins’ new challenge following Brighton 0-3 Aston Villa.
Marcus Rashford is thriving as Aston Villa’s number nine, leaving star striker Ollie Watkins as a shock impact substitute.
That was the case in the crucial 3-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion and the 3-0 victory at Preston North End, anyway, as Rashford started both matches as the number nine and scored three. Rashford netted the opening goal in both games, too, setting Villa on their way to comfortable wins after disappointing first halves.
It was a real shock to see Watkins benched at Brighton on Wednesday night as the attacker’s substitute appearance at Preston seemed enough to ease him back in after injury. As it turns out, Watkins was actually fine to start both, but Emery instead opted to lead the line with Rashford.
As the Manchester United loanee was signed to be predominantly used as a left winger, it’s a surprising development for him to have moved centrally. It would make more sense for Rashford to be the centre-forward if Watkins was injured, but the reality is far different.
Regardless of whether supporters agree with the decision, there’s no denying Rashford is making a stellar impact. The 62-time England international now has three goals and four assists in his first 11 appearances for Villa, with an average of one goal involvement every 86.7 minutes.
Emery is thrilled with Rashford’s adaptation and has made it very clear Watkins must perform if he’s to regain his starting spot. Reflecting after the Brighton win, Emery said: “Marcus Rashford, his second match in a row as a striker getting confidence and goals. Of course, we have to support as well Ollie Watkins. He has to try to compete with Marcus Rashford to help the team as a striker.”
Rashford’s secret is out
As he so rarely had the opportunity to shine as a starter for Man Utd, let alone as a striker, Rashford’s goalscoring instincts had been somewhat forgotten by many.
Emery always had a cunning plan for the 27-year-old, though, with a change of role really benefiting all parties. Moving Rashford to striker was unexpected - especially as Watkins was so nailed before - so Emery did well to keep the secret for a while. It’s out in the open now, though.
“We were analysing him firstly how he played and how he performed before. With us, we were practising and we were open to playing both positions — as a winger and as a striker,” Emery added.
“It depends in each moment. For example, today he played as a striker because on Sunday (against Preston) we practised and he scored two goals. I decided to carry on with the same position he was playing, but he can play as well on the left side. It depends. As a striker, his power is running the opponent behind.
“But the most important thing is how he’s feeling, how he’s recovering confidence in himself playing football, being focused on his football, being with his teammates comfortable as well, identifying our structure, style and demands. With him, he’s getting progressively better.”
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