‘I missed a lot of football’ – Marcus Rashford says it is a ‘great feeling’ to be back scoring after double helps Aston Villa into FA Cup semi-finals | OneFootball

Marcus Rashford says he is loving life at Aston Villa after he scored his first two goals for the club to secure their place in the FA Cup semi-final.

Rashford netted his first goal for Villa since a February loan move from Manchester United when he calmly side-footed into the bottom corner from Lucas Digne’s cross 13 minutes after half-time, before converting a penalty shortly afterwards when Morgan Rogers was fouled.

Jacob Ramsey scored a third for Unai Emery’s side 20 minutes from the end as they brushed Championship side Preston North End 3-0 to rubber-stamp the Midlands outfit’s dominance in the second half after a nervy opening 45 minutes.

Victory for Villa sees them return to an FA Cup semi-final for the first time since the 2014/15 season when they defeated Liverpool in the last four but went on to lose 4-0 to Arsenal in the final.

His double ended a run of 14 matches without a goal for club or country, and after the game the 27-year-old admitted to being back to enjoying football once again after a frustrating period in Manchester.

“It’s a great feeling,” Rashford said. “I feel like I’ve been getting fitter and playing better football since I’ve been here. It’s always nice for a forward to get a goal so hopefully, it continues.

“We have to take it one game at a time and give it 100% on the pitch and see where it takes us. We’re very ambitious.

“Step by step. I think I can still get fitter. I missed a lot of football before joining up with them. My body feels good and I’m enjoying my football for now.”

Villa are now just two games away from winning their first FA Cup since 1957, and they will face Crystal Palace in the semi-finals on the weekend of April 26/27 at Wembley.