Marcus Rashford hailed as Aston Villa’s new ‘hero’ after setting up both goals and inspiring comeback in dramatic 2-1 win over Chelsea

Marcus Rashford has been hailed as Aston Villa‘s new ‘hero’ after coming off the bench to set up both of their goals in their 2-1 victory over Chelsea.

Super sub Rashford was brought on with Villa trailing at half-time and twice set up Marco Asensio, including for his dramatic 89th-minute winner.

The forward, signed on loan from Manchester United in January after a falling out with Ruben Amorim, has enjoyed an eye-catching start to life in the Midlands and Jamie Redknapp believes his impact on Saturday will have impressed supporters.

‘I’ve got to be honest, I’m sure the manager was contemplating who he was going to take off,’ Redknapp said on Sky Sports. ‘He might’ve brought off Asensio, thank goodness from his perspective he did keep him on.

‘That substitution made all the difference. He was fantastic.

‘Marcus Rashford came on, the Holte End have got a new hero, he came with energy, enthusiasm, everything you want to see from the player.

Rashford was brought off the bench before setting up both of Marco Asensio’s goals

The forward teed up Asensio for the equaliser after stretching to poke a ball across goal

‘It’s those other parts of the game, the running, the desire, he was excellent and he gave them that impetus. Marcus Rashford made the difference.’

Unai Emery turned to the 27-year-old with Villa toiling after Enzo Fernandez’s early goal and Rashford almost immediately delivered, meeting a long crossfield ball from Matty Cash and stabbing across goal for Asensio to touch home.

The goal was initially ruled out for offside but replays showed Rashford had timed his dart to the near post to perfection, moving Villa back level. 

Rashford was also involved in the move that lifted the roof off after Asensio collected his pass and fired a weak effort that skewed through Filip Jorgensen.

Pundit Steve Sidwell said Rashford has the ‘bit between his teeth again’, and added: ‘He’s been loved as soon as he’s entered the building. 

‘The last few games, he’s come on and he’s got the backing of the fans, you see the fans in the background. He’s getting into the final third and he’s looking so sharp. He looks like he’s got the bit between his teeth again.’

Rashford’s team-mates were similarly effusive in their praise with Youri Tielemans pointing to the threat he posed down the left-hand side after his introduction.

‘Very pleased, especially the way he’s performing now, especially with the two assists that he got today,’ midfielder Tielemans told Sky Sports. ‘And listen, Marcus is someone he can threaten everyone. 1 v 1, even 1 v 2. 

Rashford was praised by his team-mates after a second-half cameo bursting with energy

He joined Villa on loan from Manchester United after falling out with head coach Ruben Amorim

Asensio saw his late effort squirm through Filip Jorgensen to hand Villa all three points

‘He’s very important for us in the way that he plays because he gives us something else on that left hand side. 

‘I think you could you could tell today every time he got the ball, he was dangerous. And hopefully with many more minutes in his legs, he will get better.’

Asensio added: ‘We know all the quality of Marcus. He helped us a lot. And thank you also to Marcus for the two assists.’