Jamie Redknapp has looked at the positives and negatives for Unai Emery amid Aston Villa's struggles
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Jamie Redknapp has delivered his verdict on Aston Villa’s struggles.
Villa are still winless in the new season after exiting the Carabao Cup on penalties to Brentford on Tuesday night, after a 1-1 draw.
They are also languishing in 19th place in the Premier League with just two points from their opening four matches.
Redknapp looked at the positives and negatives for Unai Emery, insisting Morgan Rogers is “a world class player” capable of sparking Villa’s season into life and Harvey Elliott, who scored his first goal for the club against Brentford, can “create a bit of magic”.
But he does not believe Villa will be challenging for the top five in the Premier League this season and questioned if Ollie Watkins is suffering from a “hangover” from last season and being left on the bench against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp said: “It’s still early, we have to be very respectful of that, but I don’t get the excitement I had with them over the last year and a half under Unai.
“We’ve waxed lyrical about how his teams set up, how good they are, how much energy they have got.
“I don’t think Sancho’s an upgrade on what they had with Rashford and Asensio.
“I look and think it’s going to be one of those seasons. Are they going to be competing for the top five? Not when I look at that squad, I don’t think they’re capable.
“I think it’s going to be one of those seasons where they’re still going to do well, but to push on and get Champions League football…”
“I look at the Villa team and the squad and think it’s going to be one of those long seasons where there’s going to be a lot of ups and downs.”
Next up for Villa is Sunderland away in the Premier League on Sunday.
“Right now, they’re (Villa) devoid of confidence and belief,” added Redknapp.
“You looked at Watkins and thought he was going to score goals and end of last season he was obviously left out for Rashford - is there still a little hangover with that because he’s lost that belief the manager had in him and that trust? That can affect you for a long time.
“Morgan Rogers is a world class player, I think the world of him, so he’s the sort of player that can carry the team forward, but he needs a bit of help as well.
“And I look at the team and the energy isn’t quite there.
“It’s going to be a really interesting season because when you’re not scoring goals like they have - I know they got the first one from open play in a long time here - but they’re not looking like they’re creating an abundance of chances either.
“And that’s why you’re going to be reliant on maybe Harvey Elliott to do something, create a bit of magic.”
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