Aston Villa make Marcus Rashford start decision for FA Cup tie | OneFootball

Marcus Rashford has been named on Aston Villa's bench for their FA Cup fifth round tie with Tottenham Hotspur, with Donyell Malen given the nod up front to replace the injured Ollie Watkins.

Rashford moved to Villa in the final days of the January transfer window after being frozen out at Old Trafford by Ruben Amorim, having been publicly criticised for his attitude and effort levels.

The 27-year-old trained with his new Villa teammates this week, leading Unai Emery to calling his application "fantastic", but he'll have a watching brief to begin with after Malen was given the nod up front with Watkins out and Jhon Duran no longer an option after joining Al Nassr.

Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Pau Torres and Matty Cash are out injured for Villa, while January recruit Axel Disasi, who joined on loan from Chelsea on deadline day, is ineligible after playing in the third round for Enzo Maresca. Marco Asensio is named on the bench alongside Rashford.

In the build-up to the game, Emery said: "I'm very happy with the window we did, I'm very happy with him [Rashford]. The conversation I had with him was a very normal conversation with a player and coach, speaking about football. I only want the best football from him.

"I don't want to know the reason he is leaving Manchester but I am very happy keeping him here and I am very happy to try to exploit and help him recover his performances, individually and collectively. My challenge with him is a huge challenge. His challenge with us is exciting. With the other players, I am very happy.

“The most important thing for Sunday is how we can enjoy in Villa Park with our supporters one match like this. In this cup, it’s a very prestigious cup in England for a lot of supporters. It’s really special and very important to get through this competition being successful in some moments."

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is still combating an extensive injury list that includes Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson and Richarlison, but named Mathys Tel in his starting lineup for the first time following his loan move from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Lucas Bergvall has been recalled in midfield and teenager Mikey Moore starts once more in support of Tel and captain Son Heung-min.