Unai Emery adding to Marcus Rashford's Aston Villa hunger

The Manchester United star, who has been in the midst of a public row with United boss Ruben Amorim, made the January switch to Villa Park for the remainder of the campaign.

It was a bold move to kickstart his career, with many pundits questioning whether it was the correct move for the England international.

However, in his first five outings for Villa, four of them have come from the bench and he has bagged three assists in that time.

His latest came in a disappointing 4-1 hammering at the hands of Crystal Palace, as Villa's away day woes continue.

Comments have been made about Rashford's move to Villa and his impact so far, with BBC pundit Alan Shearer praising Rashford for his work so far.

And another ex-Premier League player believes Unai Emery deserves plaudits for the way he has handled Rashford since his arrival at Villa Park.

Former West Brom and England keeper Ben Foster, who hosts his Fozcast podcast, believes easing Rashford into the Villa side with cameos from the bench is making the forward both happier and hungrier for more.

He explained: "He just looks happier and he looks like he's in amongst a bunch of hungry players.

"I think it's a good environment for him to be in with other really hungry players that want to go on and improve and get better.

"He's playing with a smile on his face. He's got three assists now in one and a half games. If Emery does go and just chuck him in straightaway, there's some players who were playing in that position who would maybe have their nose put out a little bit.

"By not starting him for those first games, it makes Marcus Rashford go, 'I want to get in that starting line-up'. It keeps him hungry and it keeps him working hard. I like that and he hasn't just been pandered to."