Aston Villa star left 'deeply disappointed' and 'frustrated' by club's Marcus Rashford decision

An Aston Villa star has been left 'deeply disappointed' by the club's Marcus Rashford decision following his transfer from Manchester United.

Rashford joined Villa during the January transfer window, signing a loan deal until the end of the season.

He made his Villa debut in his new side's FA Cup triumph over Tottenham last weekend and fans have already made their minds up on him following his first appearance since last December.

Rashford will be hoping for more minutes when Villa resume their Premier League campaign on Saturday against Ipswich Town.

The 27-year-old will also have Champions League football to look forward to, having been included in Unai Emery's 25-man squad.

Donyell Malen, who also joined Villa last month, won't feature in the Champions League after being omitted from Emery's updated Champions League party.

According to The Athletic, Emery's decision frustrated Malen, who was left 'deeply disappointed' following the Champions League snub.

The Dutch forward would have been involved in the knockout phase of this season's competition if it wasn't for the loan signing of the Man United star.

The 26-year-old's frustration comes after he played in last season's Champions League final for his old team Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid.

Donyell Malen started for Aston Villa against Tottenham. Image: Getty

Rashford is among the forwards Emery has selected for the Champions League, with fellow January signing Marco Asensio also included in the squad.

Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Leon Bailey have been included, too.

Both Rashford and Asensio, who joined Villa from Paris Saint-Germain on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign, featured against Spurs.

And they impressed Emery, who spoke glowingly about the new boys.

"We have to build the team again after the circumstances we had," he said after his side's 2-1 victory over Spurs. "Lamare Bogarde played consistently again when we needed him. Andres Garcia and Malen both played in the idea we had. They were consistent and focused. As well, Marcus Rashford and Asensio, we watched their skill and how they helped us and will help us again in the next months in the different competitions we will face. We are in a new way after the changes we did. We are demanding because we still need to improve due to some tactical issues and how we want to compete in the Premier League."