Soccer

MARCUS RASHFORD became the Holte End’s new hero after his super-sub cameo turned the tide for Aston Villa against Chelsea.The 27-year-old’s energetic display – after being brought on as a half-time sub – saw him assist both goals as Villa came from behind to win 2-1.Marcus Rashford was a game-changer against Aston VillaRashford set up Villa’s equaliser with a back post crossRashford then found Marco Asensio again for Villa’s winnerMomentum was with the home team as Rashford attacked the left flankVilla moved within a point of ChelseaVilla were trailing 1-0 – after Enzo Fernandez’s ninth minute opener – when Rashford replaced Jacob Ramsey after the break.Unai Emery’s side had registered just two shots at goal during the first-half and were behind in possession.But Rashford’s introduction provided a drastic change in energy as he made a game-changing impact almost immediately.The England star attacked the left-flank with pace, dynamism and style as Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto couldn’t get near him.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd it would not take long before Rashford’s outstretched leg squared the ball to fellow newcomer Marco Asensio to open his tally for Villa.Momentum was with the home team following the equaliser and it was the same duo who linked up for the winner in the 89th minute, as Asensio’s effort squeezed under the body of Filip Jorgensen after another assist from Rashford.With Asensio scoring both goals, Rashford assisted the same player twice in a Premier League game for the first time since June 2020. “Every time he got the ball he was dangerous,” added Youri Tielemans, who revived his career at Villa after leaving Leicester following their 2023 relegation.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDespite only playing for half of the game, Rashford had the joint second-most touches in the opposition’s box of any Villa player on Saturday.He also created the most chances of any player for his side – with two of the three he created resulting in goals – and registered the most dribbles (three).Chelsea ratings vs Aston Villa: Jorgensen howler, Rashford super-subRashford – who had been accused of “not trying” and “poor body language” by Man Utd fans – had sweat on his face while making three ball recoveries.He completed 15 of his 16 passes and had five touches in Chelsea’s box.Former Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp said “you could not ask for more as a manager” than the impact Rashford made against Chelsea.Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “I am sure that there are directors of football all around the world with their heads in their hands now thinking, ‘why didn’t I get Marcus Rashford?'”I get the doubts. I would have been one of them. I would have been nervous doing it but right now Aston Villa look like they have got great business done and I am pleased for him.”Unai Emery said he ‘hopes Rashford will become more important’As the stats show, his work was pivotal in earning three points for a Villa side who are closing in on a European qualification spot and are now eight places above Man Utd in the league.The Red Devils, meanwhile, came from behind to draw 2-2 with Everton and remain 15th in the table.Rashford, who joined Man Utd at the age of seven and for so long was an instrumental player, found himself frozen out under new manager Ruben Amorim.Although he fell out of favour under the new Old Trafford gaffer, he appears to beginning to find his feet again under Emery.He is currently on loan at Villa until the end of the season, having joined at the start of February, after not featuring for his home side since expressing his desire for a “new challenge” in December.When Rashford left United, Amorim said: “Sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different.”What could be different under Emery? And how is he planning to get the best out of the talented forward?The Villa boss said he wants to “support him” and “help him” so that he can be “confident and comfortable”.The Man Utd loanee attacked the left-hand side during his 45 minute cameoEmery said: “We want to try to help him to feel comfortable here.”Try to help him get confidence with us. Try to use the skill in our tactical idea, try to be demanding with him. He is in this process. “Of course he played a fantastic 45 minutes. We now want to be consistent.”Hopefully he is going to be important, like today, but then more and more and more. “The most important for him is to try to be here with us and be confident and comfortable in a good atmosphere and this is my objective.”And Villa fans were in a frenzy, with one writing: “Rashford was incredible, he’s just won us the game.”READ MORE SUN STORIESA second said: “Chelsea just couldn’t cope with Rashford. We needed him to win.”And another added: “Marcus Rashford is a level of player that we haven’t had since Jack Grealish left.”Chelsea player ratings vs Aston VillaBy Graham HillBLUES keeper Filip Jorgensen’s awful underarm howler saw Aston Villa come from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Prem.Enzo Fernandez’s rapid opener inside nine minutes came from Pedro Neto’s stunning breeze past Ian Maatsen.But the Blues soon fell apart after Man Utd loanee Marcus Rashford’s blistering introduction at half-time.Rashford provided two assists for fellow January signing Marco Asensio to leave Chelsea in sixth with two Prem wins from nine games in 2025.FILIP JORGENSEN – 4Horrible error for Villa’s late winner as Asensio’s shot squirmed under his body and through his gloves- ironically he had made a crucial save before that.MALO GUSTO – 6 Failed to get a decent touch on Cash’s ball – and that led to Villa’s second half equaliser. Struggled to deal with Rashford’s presence.TREVOH CHALOBAH – 3The defender suffered a huge blow as he had to come off after just six minutes clutching his ribs following a challenge from Asensio.LEVI COLWILL – 6Found himself with a new central defensive partner early in the game and looked uncertain at times.MARC CUCURELLA – 6Defending Chelsea’s left flank was not as troublesome as the right hand side, and the Spaniard looked stylish as Villa applied more pressure.REECE JAMES – 6Stepped in for the injured Noni Madueke and took the captain’s armband, had a good battle with Cash.ENZO FERNANDEZ – 6Right place, right time to open the scoring, a real threat early on, took a booking for the team, lucky to escape a second.MOISES CAICEDO – 7Provided a strong presence in midfield, spotted danger early and halted a number of Villa raids.His second-half ball should have provided Chelsea with their winner.COLE PALMER – 6Largely quiet game but wasted his chance to win the game when he collected a Caicedo through ball – but stumbled – that allowed Konsa to clear the shot PEDRO NETO – 7Great work for the opening goal when he left Maatsen standing before crossing to find Fernandez.CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU- 5Hugged the left touchline, should have been involved more, not as much of a threat as Neto, subbed with 14 minutes to go.SUBSTOSIN ADARABIOYO: (for Chalobah, 6mins) – 6Needed some time to fit in at the back after Chalobah’s injury.JADON SANCHO: (for Nkunku, 76mins) – 5Did little to affect the game after coming on for an ineffective Nkunku. 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