While the disappointment of defeat overshadowed positives for Aston Villa this weekend, there is still every reason to be excited by what we’re seeing from Morgan Rogers.
The 22-year-old was a driving force for us as we caused Arsenal problems throughout our encounter on Saturday evening, as he mesmerised with his technical ability, speed and power in possession to shrug players off and advance up the pitch carrying a threat.
READ MORE: What Unai Emery said in assessment of Villa’s defeat to Arsenal
It continued a trajectory that we’ve seen since he arrived in January, with Unai Emery making the talented youngster a priority target in that transfer window, and after a protracted pursuit, we eventually prised him away from Middlesbrough.
The Villa boss arguably saw something in Rogers that many others did not at that time, but his judgement, along with his staff’s influence, have seemingly added a gem of a talent to our squad who is both relishing and flourishing under the Basque coach.
Naturally, there is still room for improvement as if he can add a clinical edge to his play in the final third, be it as a direct threat himself or creating for others, and do that on a consistent basis, we’re looking at a potentially special talent who is capable of going to the top.
However, his process is still ahead of him as he continues to develop, mature and improve his game, but there are consistently encouraging signs over what he can bring to this team, and Emery himself has been left impressed by what’s seen from Rogers to start the new season.
“He is playing really fantastic,” Emery said on Rogers in his post-match press conference. “His development is progressively better, he has confidence and he is adding to us a lot of tactical ways. How we can connect with him, inside, outside.
“The next step is getting in the box and he is playing with confidence and developing a lot. He is hungry to increase his level, working every day. It is very good the impact he is adding to us.”
The character and personality of players we bring in is also seemingly a fundamental factor for Emery, as he wants players hungry to improve, learn and adapt to his demands at his disposal.
We’ve seen it countless times across the squad where players have taken their respective game to the next level under him since he arrived in November 2022, and Rogers appears to be another one on the conveyor belt who is continuing to progress and grow into a pivotal role.
Beyond his quality on the ball though which in itself is eye-catching, perhaps equally as impressive is his understanding and ability to execute the role he’s been asked to play.
While credit must also go to the likes of Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana in finding him in certain areas of the pitch for him to excel, Rogers has quickly adapted and learnt about positioning and tactical awareness on the pitch to find pockets of space so that he can lead our transition from defence to attack once we’ve broken a high press or midfield line.
We saw that time and time again this weekend as he counter-attacked at pace by driving from deeper areas, and his skill on the ball allowed him to dazzle at times too. Again though, the most important step is next, and that’s to make it count consistently, and that means registering goals or assists week in and week out.
Coupled with the quality around him as Jacob Ramsey continues his comeback while Leon Bailey provides a threat on the right flank, Villa have a dynamic, powerful and pacy attack with Ollie Watkins spearheading it.
Our profligacy in front of goal was our downfall against Arsenal, but if we discover that clinical edge and ruthlessness in the final third again, we’re going to be a dangerous side to face for any opponent.
“Declan Rice he turns inside out about three times in a second” 🫢
Jamie Redknapp says Morgan Rogers was unplayable today! 👊 pic.twitter.com/ZYxeWBsbv5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 24, 2024
