Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has said he faces a "huge challenge" to try and revive Marcus Rashford's career following the forward's arrival from Manchester United.

Rashford completed a temporary switch to the Midlands outfit last weekend, joining the club on loan for the remainder of the season. The deal will see Villa cover at least 75 per cent of his weekly salary and the move could be made permanent in the summer.

Rashford has not played in any capacity since December 12, last appearing when being handed a start for United's 2-1 Europa League win over Viktoria Plzen. He only featured in one United matchday squad following that win in the Czech Republic.

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The 27-year-old has trained with his new teammates throughout the week and is in contention to make his Villa debut when they host Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday evening.

Rashford has not played for the best part of two months and Emery knows it will be a challenge to try and get the United loanee back to his best - but it is one that he is relishing.

"My challenge with him is a huge challenge," Emery admitted. "His challenge with us is exciting.

"I don't want to know the reason he is leaving from Manchester but I am very happy keeping him here and I am very happy to try to exploit and help him recover his performances, individually and collectively.

"The conversation I had with him was a very normal conversation with a player and coach, speaking about football. I only want the best football from him. I think he has huge potential to exploit."