Marcus Rashford Scout Report At Aston Villa 2024/2025: How He Performed Against PSG Under Unai Emery Tactics – Tactical Analysis

Despite very nearly completing a dramatic comeback, Aston Villa’s 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League journey has officially come to an end versus Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain.

Les Parisiens are increasingly looking like strong contenders for this season’s European Cup but face stiff competition in the next round from an Arsenal side that has just knocked out Real Madrid, thus preventing a semi-final return to Paris for Kylian Mbappé.

Marcus Rashford, who joined Villa on loan from Manchester United in the winter transfer window, played a pivotal role in his team’s exciting performance against PSG in the quarter-final.

The England international added another assist to his Villa record, taking his tally up to nine goal contributions in 15 appearances for Unai Emery’s team since making his winter switch.

Our tactical analysis aims to provide some insight into how Villa’s Spanish tactician utilised Rashford as a key component of his overall team tactics on Tuesday evening.

We’ll outline Rashford’s role and shed light on how the 27-year-old performed that role to a high level, positively influencing the game for the Villans on several important occasions during Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg fixture in Birmingham.

Aston Villa Vs PSG Lineups & Formations  UCL 2024/2025

Firstly, we’ll run through both teams’ lineups for this contest.

Aston Villa Lineup & Formation

The hosts of the second leg, Aston Villa, set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Emiliano Martínez starting in goal behind a back four consisting of right-back Matty Cash, right-centre-back Ezri Konsa, left-centre-back Pau Torres, and left-back Lucas Digne.

Former Marseille man Boubacar Kamara started alongside another Ligue 1 alumnus, ex-Lille midfielder Amadou Onana, at the base of midfield with Youri Tielemans, formerly of AS Monaco, playing the ‘10’ role.

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