Aston Villa have released five players ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign as a decision on Marcus Rashford’s future has finally been made.
Unai Emery’s side enjoyed a relatively successful 2024/25 campaign and finished sixth in the Premier League, which secured qualification for the 2025/26 Europa League.
The Birmingham-based side also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup before losing convincingly to Crystal Palace as well as running eventual Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain close in an exciting quarter-final second leg at Villa Park.
In the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, Emery’s side were helped by the arrivals of Marco Asensio and Rashford, who both contributed in big moments while on loan at the Villans.
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Chelsea’s Axel Disasi also joined on loan.
Now, a decision has finally been made regarding their futures.
On Monday (June 30), Villa confirmed their retained list via a statement posted to their website, which reads: "Aston Villa would like to thank Robin Olsen and Kortney Hause following the expiration of their contracts, as well as our loan players as they return to their respective parent clubs.
"Goalkeeper Olsen joined Villa in 2022 and made 22 appearances for the club, proving a popular member of the dressing room. He joins Swedish side Malmö FF.
"Like Olsen, defender Hause initially arrived at Villa Park on loan in 2019, helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League via the play-off final at Wembley, before making his move permanent. He appeared 55 times for the Villans, scoring four goals.
"Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Axel Disasi each joined Villa in February on loan deals until the end of the 2024/25 season.
"Attacking midfielder Asensio enjoyed 21 outings in claret and blue, scoring eight goals, including three across both legs of our UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Club Brugge.
"Forward Rashford made 17 appearances for the club and registered a total of nine goal contributions across all competitions, bagging a brace in our FA Cup quarter-final against Preston North End.
"Defender Disasi arrived from Chelsea and made 10 appearances for Villa, his first coming against Ipswich Town in mid-February."
So, for now at least, Rashford will return to Manchester United, Asensio to PSG and Disasi to Chelsea.
Of course, the England international will still likely move on this summer with the player himself recently admitting that he hopes to play alongside Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal amid links with a move to the Catalan club.
Topics: Aston Villa, Premier League, Football, Transfers, Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio
Luke Davies