Morgan Rogers' Premier League warning comes true, Unai Emery's top four message and utilising the Aston Villa squad
Aston Villa beat Leeds United on Sunday
Aston Villa beat Leeds United on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
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Aston Villa are one of the in-form teams in Europe at the moment, having won nine of their last 11 matches across all competitions.
They’ll be looking to make it 11 victories from 13 after this week, as they face BSC Young Boys and Premier League strugglers Wolves at Villa Park.
Unai Emery’s side returned from the November international break with a 2-1 win at Leeds United on Sunday, a result that propelled them into the top four.
Morgan Rogers scored both of Villa’s goals, each a technically excellent finish - the first a deft flick at the near post, and the winner a sublime free-kick.
Rogers' warning to rivals comes true
Rogers deserves full credit for recovering from a difficult start to the season, which at one point included receiving sarcastic applause after completing a simple pass against Bologna.
Around that time, Rogers mentioned in a few interviews that neither he nor his teammates were concerned about Villa’s slow start to the campaign.
The team went five Premier League games without a win and failed to score in their first four matches of the season.
It’s a testament to Rogers’ character and perseverance that he has emerged stronger from what must have been a mentally challenging period.
Back in September, during the first international break of the season, Rogers spoke to talksPORT about his self confidence and faith in his teammates.
“It’s not been easy,” Rogers admitted on Villa’s start. “For different circumstances and different reasons, it hasn’t quite clicked. That’s OK, that’s fine - it’s only three games.
“We know what our level is, we know how good we are, we know how good we can be. So it’s nothing to worry about, but it’s still something to look at, improve, and learn from.
“We haven’t quite been at the level, and you get punished no matter who you play. We know we’ll be fine, and we’ll soar up the table soon - no doubt about it."
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Now, Villa face the prospect of playing six games in the space of 17 days, before then hosting Manchester United before Christmas.
“The season kind of shapes in this big period. There’s no break, there are no gaps, it’s just relentless,” Rogers said on the BBC after the win over Leeds.
“The table kind of shapes how it will be until the rest of the season. We have to make sure we’re in and around the mix. It’s a good start.
"A lot of people had opinions on how we started the season but we know how good we are. We are playing really well at the moment and full of confidence."
Cash: Emery spoke about top four opportunity
After Villa’s win, right-back Matty Cash revealed that Emery had emphasised the importance of the victory, given the potential impact on the club’s position in the league table.
By securing their sixth win in seven league games, Villa are now fourth, just two points behind second-placed Chelsea.
With Wolves visiting Villa Park on Saturday, Villa could leapfrog Chelsea this weekend, depending on results, as league leaders Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Manchester City, however, are expected to beat Leeds at home, which would move them into second place if Chelsea fail to win. Villa, meanwhile, would need to defeat Wolves and rely on an Arsenal victory to move into the top three at Chelsea’s expense.
“We started [the season] poorly but we’ve found a bit of rhythm and stuck together as a group,” Cash said on Sky Sports after beating Leeds. “We have a fantastic manager who leads us really well.
“His message today was to win the game and get into the top four. We’re delighted.”
“It’s always tough to come to Elland Road,” he continued. They’re a good team [with a] good atmosphere.
“In the first half, we could have been a little bit better but showed great resilience. The boys that came on did really well – and a little dippy from Morgan at the end. I see it every time in training.
“You have to be resilient in places like this. In the second half we played really well. There were some great finishes. I'm really happy.”
Emery can utilise his options
In what promises to be an incredibly busy period of the campaign, it’s a major positive that Villa currently enjoy a largely clear bill of health.
Amadou Onana missed a late fitness test ahead of the Leeds game on Sunday but could return to action this week.
Tyrone Mings isn’t expected back from injury until the turn of the New Year, but aside from his absence, Villa have no prolonged injury concerns at the moment.
Villa’s best form under Emery has often coincided with minimal injuries, as it allows him to rotate players, keep opponents guessing, and limit fatigue late in matches.
Against Leeds, Villa were slow in the first half on a sluggish pitch, but the game changed immediately after the restart. Donyell Malen and Ian Maatsen both made a tangible difference.
Malen had an instant impact by setting up Rogers’ first goal, while Ross Barkley came off the bench to win the free-kick that Rogers converted for the winner.
Claret & Blue verdict