Rashford having a ball at Villa after scoring first goals of loan spell in FA Cup win

With his career reignited by leaving Manchester United, Marcus Rashford said he was “enjoying my football” again after scoring his first goals for Aston Villa in the team’s victory in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Sunday.

Rashford’s decision to join Villa on a loan deal until the end of the season is paying off, with the striker returning to the England squad and starting the recent World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

His first nine performances for Villa were also largely impressive and he marked his 10th by grabbing a double in the 3-0 win at second-tier Preston.

Rashford tapped home Lucas Digne’s cross for the opener at Deepdale in the 58th minute and then converted a penalty in the 63rd after Morgan Rogers was fouled.

He looks a different player to the one who fell out of favor at United.

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

Rashford said he believes he “can still get fitter” in his spell at Villa, which is also into the Champions League quarterfinals.

“I missed a lot of football before joining up with them,” he said. “At the minute, my body feels good, I’m injury free and I’m enjoying my football.”

Villa manager Unai Emery is pleased with the progress of Rashford but also feels there is more to come.

“His commitment to work, to adapt quick, is very important and he’s doing it,” said Emery, who played Rashford as a central striker against Preston with Ollie Watkins on the bench.

“To feel comfortable, playing in his best level, there is still work but today he did one step forward — getting confident, scoring goals. He was obviously getting better but this was one more forward in his adaptation and helping us.”

Emery said it was “not yet” the right time to discuss whether Rashford might make his move to Villa permanent.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Preston North End goalkeeper David Cornell, right, saves at the feet of Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford during the English FA Cup quarter final soccer match at Deepdale, Preston, England, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford, center right, celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game with teammate Marco Asensio during the English FA Cup quarter final soccer match at Deepdale, Preston, England, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford scores their side's second goal of the game from a penalty during the English FA Cup quarter final soccer match against Preston North End at Deepdale, Preston, England, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Second baseman Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks agreed Wednesday to a $116.5 million, six-year contract that includes a player option for 2031, becoming among the first players to negotiate a lower salary for 2027 ahead of a possible work stoppage.

The deal for the two-time All-Star includes escalators for MVP awards and plate appearances that could raise its value to $149.5 million, agent Charisse Dash said.

Marte agreed in March 2022 to a $76 million, five-year deal that started in 2023 and had $49 million in guaranteed money remaining: salaries of $16 million each in 2025 and '26, $14 million in 2027 and a $13 million team option for 2028 with a $3 million buyout.

His new agreement calls for salaries of $14 million in 2025, $15 million in 2026, $12 million in 2027, $20 million in 2028 and $22 million each in 2029 and 2030. Marte has an $11.5 million player option for 2031.

His salary could escalate in each succeeding season by up to $5.5 million: $3 million for MVP voting and $2.5 million for plate appearances. It would go up by $3 million for finishing among the top three in MVP voting and by $2 million for finishing fourth through seventh. It also would rise by $500,000 each for 500 and 550 plate appearances, and by $750,000 apiece for 600 and 625.

Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement expires in December 2026, and a lockout is possible that would have potential to disrupt to the 2027 season.

Marte finished third in NL MVP voting last year and fourth in 2019. The 31-year-old hit .292 last year while setting career highs with 36 homers and 95 RBIs.

He has a .282 career average with 143 homers and 515 RBIs in 11 big league seasons with Seattle (2015-16) and the Diamondbacks.

Marte was MVP of the 2023 NL Championship Series, hitting .387 against the Phillies.

Arizona has made several big-money moves after missing last year's playoffs, signing free-agent pitcher Corbin Burnes to a $210 million, six-year contract and agreeing to long-term deals with right-hander Brandon Pfaadt ($45 million for five years starting in 2026), shortstop Geraldo Perdomo ($45 million for four years starting in 2026) and right-hander Justin Martinez ($18 million for five years).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suárez (28) celebrates his two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs with Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, center, and manager Torey Lovullo during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte scores a run against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of an opening-day baseball game Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)