Unai Emery to make late Marcus Rashford call after repeating '70 per cent' request
Unai Emery will wait until after training on Saturday to decide how big a role Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio will play against Tottenham - after reiterating the need for every Villa player to devote “70 per cent” of their life to football.
Both new signings are expected to feature in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie, though Emery is unsure whether either will be able to start having featured only fleetingly for their parent clubs in recent months.
Asensio made only one brief substitute appearance for Paris St-Germain since December 5, while Rashford has not played for United since December 12, having been frozen out by boss Ruben Amorim, who was critical of the England international’s attitude in training.
Emery claimed Rashford had been “fantastic” in training since joining Villa last weekend and it is understood club officials have been impressed with the 27-year-old’s fitness levels.
All the same, the Villa boss acknowledged he faces a “huge challenge” in getting Rashford back to his best after two years in which he has struggled for form.
Emery is seriously demanding of his squad and explained how he had again outlined the required commitment levels during meetings this week.
The Spaniard hopes the additions of Rashford, Asensio and Axel Disasi can give his team fresh energy after claiming they “could not be comfortable” with their current position of eighth in the Premier League.
Emery said: “My opinion about this question you know. I want the players thinking 70 per cent football, 70 per cent in life every day.
“Then there are family, days off but it is football (70 per cent of the time).
“This is the message inside always with the players and they are responding more or less in this direction.
“We had in the last days as well some meetings, talking about how we want to build the team again, creating here a structure, a mental structure, our demands as well and commitment.
“Of course, we are again building some ways and new ways with new players.”
Rashford, who completed his move to Villa last Sunday, has been eager to make a strong first impression and volunteered to train on Monday, while the rest of the squad were on a day off. It is understood he also intends to relocate to the Midlands, from his Manchester base, for the duration of the loan.
Emery intends to play Rashford chiefly on the left-hand side of his attack, though he may also be used as a striker. Villa are expected to be without Ollie Watkins against Tottenham due to a calf problem.
Asensio, meanwhile, is viewed as the ideal replacement for Emi Buendia, who joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan. With another January signing, Donyell Malen, also able to play anywhere across the front line, Emery believes he has no shortage of options in attack.
He said: “With the versatility they have, I have to be intelligent and work tactically, understanding their task and how we can get feeling comfortable in their best position helping us.”
Matty Cash and Ross Barkley (both calf) remain out, along with Pau Torres (foot) and Tyrone Mings (knee).