Aston Villa v West Brom ‘behind-closed-doors friendly on cards’ due to Rashford
Bryan King believes a behind-closed-doors friendly will be arranged between Aston Villa and West Brom as Marcus Rashford looks to regain match fitness.
The ex-Villa scout was speaking exclusively to Villa News (3 February) after Unai Emery’s side confirmed the arrival of Rashford on loan from Manchester United.
King believes that the Villans will look to arrange a friendly to get Rashford up to speed, due to the forward hardly playing in recent weeks.
Walsall, Birmingham City and the Baggies were all listed as potential opponents in a match which would feature a mixture of substitutes and fringe players – although the potential involvement of Adam Armstrong remains up in the air after late transfer confusion [via DOOD, 4 February].
West Brom set for behind-closed-doors friendly v Aston Villa?
West Brom would need to find time in an already busy schedule to arrange a behind-closed-doors friendly with Villa.
However, if the match was to feature fringe and youth players, it wouldn’t matter so much when it was played, and it could also give “the next [Lionel] Messi” the chance to get himself accustomed to his new surroundings.
In addition, the chance for some of the club’s young talents to feature in a match with a Premier League team and a player of Rashford’s stature could be useful experience.
Therefore, it seems as though there could be some benefit to this particular friendly, and there is no reason why it can’t be arranged.
However, if the match is to take place, it would be hard to describe it as a friendly considering the rivalry between the two clubs, and Rashford would no doubt receive an instant understanding of what it means to be playing his football in the West Midlands.
For the Baggies and Tony Mowbray however, the focus must remain on the Championship.
In other West Brom news, an Aston Villa coach has reacted after a finalised transfer at The Hawthorns.
For more West Brom news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.