An ex-Manchester United star has hailed 's approach of "not pandering to" .

Rashford has enjoyed an encouraging start to life at after at the start of February. The 27-year-old played a crucial role in Villa's 2-1 win over on Saturday evening, setting up both of Marco Asensio's goals and taking his total number of assists for the club up to three.

Rashford's arrival came after he was frozen out by head coach . Emery, by contrast, is said to be a huge fan of the England forward and was the driving force behind his signing.

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However, while the Spaniard may have been tempted to throw him straight into the starting XI, Rashford has mostly been used as a substitute so far at Villa Park, with just one start against last week. Former United and goalkeeper believes Emery's tactic of easing him in has been key to keeping Rashford motivated after praising the star's improved body language since leaving Old Trafford.

"He just looks happier and he looks like he's in amongst a bunch of hungry players," said Foster on his podcast. "I think it's a good environment for him to be in with other really hungry players that want to go on and improve and get better.

"He's playing with a smile on his face. He's got three assists now in one and a half games. If Emery does go and just chuck him in straightaway, there's some players who were playing in that position who would maybe have their nose put out a little bit.

"By not starting him for those first games, it makes Marcus Rashford go, 'I want to get in that starting line-up'. It keeps him hungry and it keeps him working hard. I like that and he hasn't just been pandered to."

Foster that signing Rashford could cause problems in the Villa dressing room. He said he feared the player's £315,000-a-week wages could cause resentment among his teammates, with the Midlands club reportedly paying a minimum of 75 per cent.

But he now appears to have changed his mind after witnessing Emery's approach to handling Rashford, despite whether his spell at Villa will be successful.

Rashford's loan deal at Villa lasts until the end of the season and includes an option for them to buy him for £40million. However, recent reports claim that while Rashford is enjoying his time at Villa Park, he is still ultimately keen on .

Meanwhile, Emery has told him during the rest of his loan spell.

Speaking after Rashford's pivotal second-half cameo against Chelsea, the Villa manager said: "We want to support him, help him and try to help him to feel comfortable here. (Also) to try to help him get confidence with us and try to be demanding with him. He is in this process.

"Of course he played a fantastic 45 minutes. We now want to be consistent. Hopefully he is going to be important, like today, but then more and more and more.

"The most important [thing] for him is to try to be here with us and be confident and comfortable in a good atmosphere and this is my objective."

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