Villa’s Bright Future: Dean Saunders Hails Rogers' Rise and Emery's Influence

With the second international break of the season upon us, it’s time to take stock on what’s been a very impressive start to the season for Aston VIlla. Led by Spanish manager Unai Emery, Villa currently find themselves 5th in the league having won both of their Champions League ties so far. Including a sensational 1-0 win over European giants Bayern Munich. Here at bettingexpert, Devang Prasad caught up with former Aston Villa striker Dean Saunders to discuss one of the shining lights of the season for Villa in Morgan Rogers as well as the miraculous work of Emery.

In this article:

• Saunders shares his awe in Villa starlet Rogers
• Rogers mustn’t allow success to get to his head
• Villa must hang on to their young stars
• Saunders praises Emery’s work at Villa

Saunders shares his awe in Villa starlet Rogers

There was some shock in the footballing world when Lee Carsley announced his latest England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. There was no space for attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers who has been ever present for Unai Emery this season and has been in fine form. Rogers has since been linked with a potential move away from Villa Park after dazzling with his strong ball carrying and tight dribbling. Saunders has certainly been impressed by Rogers but believes a move to a club like Manchester United wouldn’t be right at this stage of his career.

“Well Morgan Rogers has got good competition when you think that Jack Grealish can’t get into the squad. And Grealish is a great player.”

“He’s on the right road. He’s a good athlete and he’s been playing really well. He drives forward with the ball, and doesn’t let the game bypass him.”

“They sold Douglas Luiz and thought they’d miss him but Rogers has stepped into his shoes. And he’s gone into a good team that has got a good manager and that helps young players.”

“If you walk into Man Utd’s team now as a young player, it’s not as easy as walking into Villa’s team which is organised and they’re all on the same hymn sheet. They’re all playing the same way and know what the manager expects from him.”

Villa snapped up Rogers from Middlesbrough in a deal worth up to £15 million, roughly a year after Middlesbrough signed him from Manchester City’s academy. His move to Middlesbrough was a key addition in helping to bolster Michael Carrick’s attacking options. He’s only gone from strength to strength since then.

Rogers mustn’t allow success to get to his head

“He needs to keep going with the way he has been. He’s a very strong, powerful runner, good on the ball. Time will tell what’s under his shirt, because that counts for more than anything. Once you’re playing at that level, everyone can do the basics, everybody can control the ball, pass the ball. Most people can shoot.”

“What decides how far you get is what’s in your head and what’s under your shirt.”

Villa have a care of exciting young players aside from Rogers which includes Jacob Ramsey, John Duran, Jaden Philogene and Ian Maatsen and Saunders is eager for the club to hang onto their young starlets despite increasing pressures on the FFP front.

Villa must hang on to their young stars

“When I played for Villa, we were trying to win the league. We won trophies and we were trying to compete with the best teams. We had probably seven or eight players in our team that would get into the other teams, which is what you look at.”

“Villa are still building. The manager is still looking to add some quality. I don’t think the Financial Fair Play and PSR rules are working the way they should be. When you have to sell your best young players, it can’t be right.”

“It’s gonna come up with Morgan Rogers, it’s gonna come up with Ramsey. Connor Gallagher obviously moved away from Chelsea.”

Saunders praises Emery’s work at Villa

Villa’s recent 1-0 win over Bayern Munich marked their greatest European night in 42 years, reflecting Emery’s ambitions for the club and Saunders couldn’t be happier with the job Emery has done at Villa Park

“I think Rogers should stay at Aston Villa. It’s the right club for him. Duran too. He’s second to Ollie Watkins right now. He’s another one that should stay at Villa. I think the club is going in the right direction.”

“The place is buzzing. Everything about Aston Villa now. The fans are really enjoying what they’re watching. They’ve got a good team to go out and watch who can compete against anybody.”

“The manager knows what he’s doing. He’s got a formula which he’s used all over Europe and he’s using it at Villa. And everybody knows their job.”

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