The forward, who joined Unai Emery’s side on loan in January after a difficult period at Manchester United, expressed his excitement about the future and his belief that even better performances are to come.
Having struggled for game time under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, where doubts about his commitment to training were raised, Rashford moved to Villa Park with hopes of reigniting his career. His performance on Sunday highlighted the steady progress he’s made in just a few months at Villa.
The standout moment of the match came in the second half at Deepdale, where Rashford netted his first-ever Villa goal in the 58th minute, before doubling his tally with a penalty just five minutes later. Jacob Ramsey rounded off the scoring in the 71st minute, but it was Rashford’s brace that grabbed the spotlight.
“Scoring goals always feels amazing, especially as a forward,” Rashford told BBC after the game. “I feel like I’m slowly getting back to my best, becoming fitter and more comfortable in my game here at Villa. There’s a long way to go, and I’m excited for what’s next.”
Villa’s victory secured their spot in the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley, where they’ll face Crystal Palace for a chance to reach the final. Additionally, Emery’s side has advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals, where they’ll face Paris Saint-Germain, adding to the excitement surrounding the club.
With Villa now just four points behind Chelsea in the Premier League, their sights are set on qualifying for next season’s Champions League, with a fifth-place finish looking increasingly likely. Rashford is focused on taking it “one game at a time,” emphasizing Villa’s ambitious mindset and drive for success.
“I think we have a team that’s eager to win. We want to achieve as much as we can in every competition, and we’re determined to push ourselves for a top-four finish,” Rashford said.
Looking back on his personal progress, Rashford shared that he’s taking a gradual approach to getting back to his peak form. “It’s all about small steps,” he explained. “I’m still building my fitness, especially after missing so much football earlier this season. Right now, my body feels good, and I’m just enjoying playing again.”
With his confidence growing and his body in top shape, Rashford seems ready to continue his ascent at Villa and is eager to help the club achieve its ambitious goals, both domestically and in Europe.
