MARCUS RASHFORD “can hurt teams” and help Aston Villa WIN the Champions League.
In his first interview since leaving Manchester United to join the Midlanders on loan, the England forward revealed he is targeting the biggest prize in club football
Rashford will wear the No 9 shirt — vacated by £70million Al-Nassr signing Jhon Duran — as he aims to revive his career under Unai Emery.
He said: “Being back in the Champions League is hugely exciting. It’s the biggest competition for a club to be involved in, and they’re always great nights.
“We want to get as far as we can and if we don’t aim to win it, then we’re never going to win it.
“I’m sure it will be a great experience for me playing for Villa in the Champions League.
“I know I can hurt teams and, when I’m at my best, decide football games.
“That will be my only goal, to help the team win more games, more points and hopefully create history.”
Rashford has 12 goals and three assists in 33 appearances for United in Europe’s elite competition.
And Rashford will team up with Villa’s Paris Saint-Germain loanee Marco Asensio when they return to Europe in a last-16 tie next month.
Rashford, 27, said: “I’ve played a fair amount of games in the Champions League so I feel like I’m experienced and know how to handle those situations.
“It’s my first time playing for another team but it’s been excitement, rather than being scared.
“It’s an ambitious time for this club and a great opportunity for me to help them keep pushing forward.”
Villa are not paying a loan fee but have agreed to stump up at least 75 per cent of Rashford’s £325,000 weekly pay packet.
That could hit 90 per cent if bonus targets are hit.
Rashford can sign permanently this summer for £40m.
He last played on December 12 and was accused by Ruben Amorim of lacking effort in training.
The 60-cap Three Lions ace believes he can take his game to a new level under intense Villa chief Emery.
Rashford, who could make his Villa debut at home to Tottenham in the FA Cup on Sunday, added: “He’s a top manager and what he’s done with the club is unbelievable.
“It’s the constant ambition that’s attractive. They are a club that’s in a good position in the league and they’re pushing to get higher.
“We have a good, ambitious manager and great talent in the squad. I’ve had to choose somewhere I feel my style of football is suited to, and help them and help me rediscover and improve as a player.
“I want to make the most of my time.”
Asensio, a Champions League winner at Real Madrid, cannot wait to link up with Emery.
The winger, 29, said: “Unai’s had a great career, he’s a top coach, he’s been key in me being able to come here because of his idea of how he wants to play football.
“I love it, it suits me perfectly.”
“I’ve got experience in these types of Champions League games. They are games that are decided based on small margins.”
Villa are also set to agree a loan deal to take Chelsea outcast Axel Disasi for the remainder of this season.
Emery feared he had missed out on the 26-year-old France international defender.
Blues were not keen to strengthen a direct Champions League rival and wanted him to go to Spurs instead.
However, the £38.8m buy from Monaco in August 2023 dug his heels in.
Villa are set to pay a £5m loan fee to land the centre-back, who starred for France at the 2022 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Villa defenders Kosta Nedeljkovic, 19, and Sil Swinkels, 21, have gone to RB Leipzig and Bristol Rovers in respective loan deals.
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