Nachrichten

Aston Villa were held to an uneventful goalless draw against Manchester United on Sunday, and Morgan Rogers arguably put in his worst performance of the season.

In the early stages of this campaign, watching the Aston Villa midfielder has been a joy to behold, with Rogers dubbed ‘unplayable’ by Jamie Redknapp in the defeat to Arsenal.

That wasn’t the only game where the 22-year-old has performed out of his skin; Rogers was excellent in the Champions League against Bayern Munich and victories over Wolves and Leicester City, in particular.

Rogers is fast becoming one of the most frightening players in the Premier League and the Englishman was expected to reach similar levels against Manchester United however, he wasn’t at his best.

Morgan Rogers was ‘untidy’ vs Manchester United

It was a drab affair between Aston Villa and Man United as the game lacked real quality on the whole, and Rogers was criticised for holding onto the ball for too long.

Throughout this season, the former Middlesbrough man has displayed an outstanding ability to carry the ball but has often struggled with his final pass.

Rogers has only contributed to a goal or an assist in matches against Wolves and Ipswich; two sides battling at the bottom of the Premier League.

The youngster has struggled to return in other games, perhaps impacting Rogers’ chances of being selected for an England call-up.

Villa journalist Jacob Tanswell raised a similar criticism towards the Villa midfielder, who felt the £15 million man was ‘untidy’ with his performance.

Tanswell also explained how Rogers can reach the ‘next level’ on the 1874 podcast, and cited his end product as one major factor that needs to improve.

“Yeah, and you thought, but here we go. Rogers is physically bigger than Eriksen, but also now he’s on a booking, so just keep getting in between the lines. And there’s about three or four times in that first half where Rogers was driving at Evans and Maguire.

“And Evans was fantastic, but you just think, that’s the next level for Rogers really, just to get that end product right. He’s a little bit untidy, isn’t he? With that final decision.”

How Morgan Rogers can receive an England call-up

Rogers was recently called up to the England under-21s once more and many Villa fans felt angered by that decision, as they feel he should be playing for the senior side.

The main reason why he hasn’t been selected by Lee Carsley is down to his ability to make the right decision at the right time.

Unfortunately, that level of quality and composure has been lacking in the attacking third, with Tanswell adding that, sharpening up his final ball can see him receive a senior England call-up.

“Doesn’t give it, or it gives it too early,” he said. “You just think, in order for him to get that next level and potentially play for England, if he can sharpen up on that final ball, he’s going to be one hell of a player. But probably that was the only way I saw Villa doing something with Rogers carrying the ball upfield.”

Villa’s rising star has plenty of time on his hands to become a regular England international but with the amount of talent ahead of him, it’s no surprise he’s been left out at the moment.

Related Topics