Unai Emery looking concerned towards Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers
(Credit: Imago)
Max Wilkins
Thu 21 August 2025 11:40, UK
Morgan Rogers will be hopeful of bouncing back for Aston Villa in the coming weeks.
Rogers, 23, wasn’t in the best form for Aston Villa against Newcastle United as the Villans managed to come away from Villa Park with a point in a hard-fought fashion.
Ezri Konsa was dealt a red card on 66 minutes, meaning it was always going to be difficult, but it is fair to say that Unai Emery’s side failed to lay a glove on the Magpies after that.
There would have been hope that Rogers would be the man to drag the claret and blue outfit through to potentially steal three points.
Ultimately, the England international failed to do that as the clash against Newcastle finished 0-0, something which could be put down to an injury concern for the Villa man.
Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers looking pensive
Morgan Rogers put in a frustrating performance for Aston Villa vs Newcastle (Credit: Imago)
This article contains exclusive comments given to Villa News by former midfielder Martin Allen
Rogers still not at peak match fitness for Aston Villa
The new PFA Young Player of the Year had far from his best day against Eddie Howe and Co. in what was a frustrating outing in B6.
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There is a good reason to suggest that this could be blamed on a fitness problem that hit the attacking midfielder in the latter stages of pre-season.
Rogers was forced off against Roma through injury, and there were initially fears that he would be absent for the opening clash of the Premier League campaign.
Rogers went off after just seven minutes against Roma
The Englishman then missed the final pre-season friendlies of the summer
He still started against Newcastle but was generally poor
That wasn’t the case in the end, but the Englishman was still miles from his best, something which ex-Brentford and Leicester City boss believes was down to a lack of true match fitness and sharpness.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Allen said: “It can take time to get up to that match sharpness.
“There’s being fit for training, but match sharpness at a Premier League level is a different story.
“Rogers is a good player and will come back up to that soon, but wasn’t at it against Newcastle.
“*He will come back strong, so time will tell on that one, but he’ll be at optimum fitness very soon.*“
Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers struggled for impact at Aston Villa vs Newcastle (Credit: Imago)
Rogers could benefit from rest vs Brentford
It may only be the second match of the season, but Rogers could already be in line to take a week out in order to benefit his fitness.
Coming off the back of an injury, being thrown straight into the starting 11 was always going to be a risk, something which may not be chanced against the Bees.
This could see the likes of Donyell Malen or £30million+ summer signing Evann Guessand come in from the start to showcase their talents.
Stat Morgan Rogers Donyell Malen
Minutes played 90 7
Shots on target 0 1
Shot accuracy – 100
Dispossessed 1 0
Donyell Malen and Morgan Rogers stats compared against Newcastle
Although this is far from the typical method of Emery, it could prove to be an ideal solution to help get the best out of Rogers further down the line.
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