Nottingham Forest fans will have nightmares after what’s come out about Marcus Rashford ahead of Aston Villa

Add as preferred source on Google

Nottingham Forest face Aston Villa on Saturday in a clash between two in-form sides, with Marcus Rashford potentially playing a key role.

In terms of Forest’s attacking options, it’s a mixed bag for Nuno Espirito Santo as his squad deals with its most uncomfortable spell of injuries.

Whilst Espirito Santo said Chris Wood is “getting better” there has been little indication that the 18-goal striker will return on Saturday, leaving Taiwo Awoniyi to lead the line once more.

More positively, though, Callum Hudson-Odoi will return against Villa after missing the Manchester United victory due to a personal matter. On the opposite side, Villa are blessed with attacking options, including Marcus Rashford who has quite the history facing up against Forest.

Marcus Rashford has haunted Nottingham Forest before

Rashford stepped away from United, akin to Anthony Elanga, and joined Villa on loan until the end of the season, in a deal that looks to be benefitting both parties.

The English winger has seven goal contributions in his 11 appearances for the Midlands side so far which is worrying enough for Forest, but it’s his historic record against the Reds that is of most concern.

As stated by BBC Sport: “Marcus Rashford has been directly involved in seven goals in seven appearances against Nottingham Forest, scoring three and assisting four (all for Manchester United).”

For a player known to be somewhat inconsistent, Rashford’s numbers will be a worry for the Forest coaching staff as the Villa loanee finds himself in a side more capable of helping him add to those numbers.

What’s most concerning, though, is what he’ll be coming up against, with Ola Aina’s absence leaving a dangerous gap for Rashford to exploit.

• READ MORE: Nottingham Forest team news and predicted XI to face Aston Villa as Ola Aina replacement is found

Marcus Rashford could exploit Ola Aina’s absence

The 27-year-old has always produced his best work down the left wing, which is exactly where Forest will be most vulnerable on Saturday.

Aina will miss the Villa game due to an issue with his calf and with Alex Moreno unavailable to slot in and allow Neco Willams to move to right back, Espirito Santo will be relying on a makeshift solution.

Whilst in different circumstances as Rashford was still at United and Steve Cooper was still Forest manager, the Englishman did show the very traits to exploit Aina’s injury back in 2023 during the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Rashford burst down the left and continued to dribble and back up the Forest defence until it was too late to do anything about it, firing in the opening goal of an eventual 3-0 win for United at the City Ground.

Again, circumstances have changed since but Forest’s weakness on Saturday is Rashford’s strength and with the form he is in, there’s every chance he exploits it.