Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa, Thomas Tuchel England manager
(Credit: Imago)
Villa News Speaking to Ian Darke
Wed 19 March 2025 19:40, UK
Aston Villa are still fighting on all three remaining fronts this season, unlike many of their competitors.
However, the campaign has taken a backseat for the Villans and Unai Emery for the week, as the squad go their separate ways to represent their nations.
Morgan Rogers is one player who has been named in Thomas Tuchel’s first England selection, chosen alongside Marcus Rashford and Ezri Konsa, though Ollie Watkins is absent through injury.
Morgan Rogers
Rogers is once again in the England squad as Tuchel takes the reins (Credit: Imago)
Aston Villa star Rogers ‘hated’ for standout attribute
With Rashford returning to the England setup under the new Three Lions manager, and Konsa once again retaining his place, Rogers is in close Aston Villa company for the games against Albania and Latvia.
TV commentator Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to Villa News, has earmarked 22-year-old Rogers as one of the most deserving players of a place in Tuchel’s inaugural squad of anyone.
Darke has admitted defenders “absolutely hate” the central drive Rogers possesses, though doubts how much game time he will receive while in competition with Real Madrid titan Jude Bellingham.
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“Morgan Rogers absolutely deserves to be in the England squad,” the broadcaster proclaimed.
“There aren’t many players who have that drive and ball-carrying ability through the centre of the pitch and defenders absolutely hate it. He has to be in the squad, though I don’t know if he’ll be in the team because he’s got Jude Bellingham to compete with.
“But he’s fully deserving of his place and he has a dangerous attribute which not many others have.”
Marcus Rashford
Rashford has returned to the England fold to join Rogers and Konsa (Credit: Imago)
Emery praying for a clean bill of health
After Emery withdrew Watkins for Aston Villa in their Champions League clash against Club Brugge last week (12 March), he was left out of the England squad as a precaution.
While the head coach will prefer being able to monitor his leading striker daily, the same cannot be said for the trio currently away with England – neither their many teammates with their respective nations.
Aston Villa players in England squad Caps
Marcus Rashford 60
Ezri Konsa 9
Morgan Rogers 2
Rogers joins Rashford and Konsa in Tuchel’s side
Fitness and momentum are the two main reasons managers cannot stand mid-season international breaks, and Villa are one of the most heavily affected sides in the Premier League.
It’s obviously par for the course as a team competing in the top echelons of the game, but Emery will be hoping to fast-forward to this time next week with all at his disposal who left him.
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