Rashford appears a player reborn having completed a January loan move from to Villa Park from Manchester United, where he had been frozen out of the first-team by Ruben Amorim.
The 27-year-old had endured a wretched 18-month period prior to the temporary switch and intimated in December that he was keen for a fresh challenge away from Old Trafford.
Since joining Villa, the attacker has been an instant hit, racking up four assists in his first six games for Unai Emery’s side – the latest of which coming against Cardiff on Friday night.
Hosts Villa were kept at bay by their Championship opposition in a frustrating opening 45 minutes, but Rashford helped find the breakthrough, putting the ball on a plate for Marco Asensio with a first-time cross from the left flank.
Asensio increased the deficit with his second in the 80th minute and Villa held firm to secure a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since their run to the final in 2015.
‘He does [shape his run intelligently] and that’s what Marcus should be doing more of,’ legendary ex-Manchester United captain Keane said of Rashford’s assist on ITV after Villa’s 2-0 victory.
‘You give good players time on the ball and you’re in trouble. We saw it in the first half and Marcus is very good at doing that.
‘This is obviously one of Marcus’ big strengths. He has a bit of luck at the end, I’m not sure he’s trying to pick out Asensio.
‘But to be fair, he needs a bit of luck, he’s put it into the right area and a quality player walking onto it, one-touch finish.
‘No chance for the goalkeeper. Lovely, simple, effective goal.’
Rashford has created the most chances of any Premier League player in all competitions (13) since swapping United for Villa in January.
When informed of the impressive stat, Keane replied: ‘Strangely enough, I still think Marcus has done well with the assists.
‘But I still think he will be thinking, “I want to score a few goals myself”.’
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright agreed with Keane that Rashford should be looking to contribute more in the goalscoring department over the coming weeks.
‘It’s still bitty. You’re still seeing quality,’ Wright said.
‘He got a bit fortunate in respects of that cut-back. But in the main, he’s trying to go at people, I think he could that more.
‘Like Roy said, I would like to see him score a couple of goals. It’s not like he’s not trying but he’s just easing himself in, he’s getting going.’
According to Keane, Villa possess something both Manchester City and Arsenal do not – and that is ‘plenty of options’ in attack.
‘We argue most weekends about options. We’ve seen Manchester City struggling with Haaland, obviously Arsenal,’ he added.
‘As a top manager with a big club, you want options and Villa have got plenty of options.
‘It’s just about getting the balance right: who to put in, who to take out and it’s good for the manager.
‘That’s what you need with a lot of games coming up.’
Reports this week claimed Rashford had decided he wants to join Aston Villa on a permanent basis when the summer transfer window opens for business.
It’s understood Villa have an option in their loan deal allowing them to sign the England international outright for a fee of £40million.
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