Aston Villa announced that Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio won’t be part of the squad next season. Signed on loan back in February with high expectations, both forwards are packing up. Rashford heads back to Manchester United and Asensio returns to Paris Saint-Germain. Still, Villa’s decision raises questions about their strategy, long-term planning, and maybe even their identity as a club.
These two didn’t arrive quietly. Rashford, a big name in the Premier League, came looking to regain form after an inconsistent spell at United. Asensio, formerly of Real Madrid, started strong at PSG but lost ground mid-season and saw Aston Villa as a shot at redemption. Statistically, they did alright. Asensio made 21 appearances, scored eight goals—three of them in the Champions League and added an assist. Rashford played 17 games, scoring four times and assisting five. That’s decent production for a five-month stint. But still, not enough to convince the club to hold on to either of them.
The exit without any negotiation says a lot
Villa didn’t even explore the option of keeping them. No talks with United or PSG, just a simple thank you and goodbye. That pretty much spells it out. When weighing wages, recent inconsistency, and their broader plans, the club probably saw no upside in pushing for permanent deals. And honestly, it might’ve never been part of the plan anyway. There’s a difference between signing someone out of need and doing it just because the opportunity presents itself.
Rashford’s case adds more layers to that. He’s going back to a club that clearly isn’t sold on him. Manager Ruben Amorim criticized him publicly more than once. Their relationship? Far from ideal. And the £40 million price tag United slapped on him feels more like a “stay away” sign than a genuine market offer. Rashford isn’t getting minutes, and it’s fair to say his career is at a serious crossroads. At 27, he can’t lean on potential anymore.
Asensio finds himself in a similar situation
In Paris, there’s barely room for him. He started the season as a regular, then fell out of favor under Luis Enrique. Three months later, he was sent out on loan. Even with a decent run at Villa, he couldn’t rebuild his status. At 29, he’s at that point where a player either becomes a key figure or fades into the background. He still has time left on his contract, but PSG doesn’t look eager to use him. Maybe another loan pops up, or a transfer happens. But for now, he’s heading back to Paris without much clarity about what’s next.
Some fans might see Villa letting go of two experienced, big-name players as a mistake. After all, both have played on major stages and still have a few good years left. But there’s also a case to be made for cutting ties early. Not every signing has to turn into a long-term commitment. Villa brought them in, saw what they could offer, and made a call. Simple as that.
It’s actually kind of bold, recognizing that something just doesn’t fit and moving on instead of forcing it. It shows that the club is committed to a direction. One that likely favors players fully invested in their project, not just looking for form or minutes. And that says a lot about where Aston Villa is today. They’re building something, and for that, they need players who are all-in, no asterisks.