Matty Cash is delighted to see Morgan Rogers return to form after his "tough" start to the season at Aston Villa
Morgan Rogers scored his first league goal of the season on Sunday
Morgan Rogers scored his first league goal of the season on Sunday
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Matty Cash insists Morgan Rogers has shown that form is temporary but class is permanent, after the forward bagged his first goal of the season against Tottenham on Sunday.
The 23-year-old had struggled to reach the levels he displayed on a consistent basis last season during the early weeks of this campaign but appears to have turned a corner after opening his account for England earlier this month, before firing in a stunning equaliser against Tottenham.
Villa boss Unai Emery faced calls from fans to drop Rogers following his slow start - a slump that reached a low point when home supporters sarcastically cheered as he completed a pass late on against Bologna in the club’s first Europa League game.
Since then, Rogers has responded with two assists in each of the following league games against Fulham and Burnley, and while there’s still room for improvement, his recent strike looks set to be a strong contender for Villa’s goal of the season.
Emery’s decision to keep faith with Rogers has been vindicated, and Cash admits that the manager’s support - and his arm-around-the-shoulder approach - was exactly what the forward needed.
“That’s football. You see it a lot of times with different players and circumstances over the years,” the right-back said.
“In tough moments you need the help and support of the fans and sometimes, at all clubs, you take some criticism. That is part of the game.
“I am delighted for him. He has shown that class is permanent. He needs to keep building and doing it because he is obviously a great player.”
“When you are a young player - and he is still young - who has only had a season and a bit here, it is tough,” Cash continued.
“When things go tough, it can affect you. He is a human being. We all are. When things aren’t going well, it ain’t easy.
“I feel sometimes players read criticism, it is part of life. We are the ones who need to turn it around and perform. So yeah, I am happy for him.”
Villa claimed their fifth consecutive win on Sunday with victory over Spurs, adding to recent triumphs against Bologna, Fulham, Feyenoord and Burnley.
Emery’s side had begun the campaign without a win in their opening six matches, and it wasn’t until their fifth league game that they finally found the net - courtesy of Cash’s strike at Sunderland.
“It’s good we have picked up points now,” the defender admitted. “We had a tough start to the season but now we are starting to pick it back up again, which is great.
“We didn’t panic. The results we got away from home at Everton and Sunderland are now sort of looking good for us. Sunday we were delighted.
“It was a great win away from home and hopefully we can keep building on it. We’re getting better, five wins in a row, so we are delighted.”
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