Unai Emery Faces Backlash for Substituting Marcus Rashford Despite His Assist in Aston Villa's 3-2 Win Over PSG

Aston Villa's manager Unai Emery has faced criticism for his decision to substitute Marcus Rashford during their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, despite Rashford's impressive performance. Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, played a key role in Villa's 3-2 victory on the night, though they were eliminated with a 5-4 aggregate defeat. Rashford's performance included a notable assist for Ezri Konsa's goal, which highlighted his impact on the game. Despite the positive contribution, Emery's choice to replace Rashford in the 76th minute has been questioned, especially as Villa chased a goal to force extra time. Emery has been cautious about discussing Rashford's future at Villa, where the club has a £40 million option to buy him permanently from Manchester United. The manager indicated that any decision on Rashford's future would depend on upcoming circumstances and Rashford's happiness at the club. In related comments, Wayne Rooney, a former Manchester United player, expressed hope that Rashford would return to his former club, praising his performance against PSG. Meanwhile, Luis Enrique, PSG's coach, gave a surprising response when asked about Emery's achievements, suggesting that he and other Spanish coaches deserved recognition for their efforts. PSG will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid in the semi-finals.