Aston Villa 4 Roma 0: Unai Emery's team turn on style but suffer Morgan Rogers injury scare

The England international was forced off just minutes after entering the action at Walsall’s Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on Wednesday night.

Rogers appeared to land awkwardly on his left ankle and received treatment on the pitch before walking off and straight down the tunnel.

His removal appeared likely precautionary and Villa boss Unai Emery will certainly hope the issue is not serious, with his team opening their season at home to Newcastle on August 16.

It was the one blot on an otherwise entertaining night for Villa supporters, who packed out the home of the neighbouring Saddlers and watched their team put their Italian visitors to the sword.

Emi Buendia opened the scoring with a superb free-kick and later set-up Ollie Watkins for his fourth goal in as many pre-season games.

That came after an audacious pass from Youri Tielemans had laid on Villa’s second of the night for Jacob Ramsey.

Donyell Malen then continued his own impressive pre-season with the home side's fourth of the night, five minutes from time.

Roma, admittedly, looked a poor team and the fact they are a week behind Villa in their preparations for the new Serie A season, which does not begin until August 23, cannot be ignored.

Yet this was still an encouraging and fun display from Villa, who again made wholesale changes with 23 players used on the night.

Villa were threatening right from the start with Leon Bailey bringing a smart stop out of Roma keeper Mile Svilar inside the opening 30 seconds.

Neil El Aynaoui then sent a dipping effort just off target at the other end but it was Villa who were far slicker and the breakthrough goal was of real quality.

Watkins turned and ran at goal and was hauled down 20 yards out, with Buendia sending a dipping free-kick over the wall, under the bar and into the net.

Within 120 seconds the lead was doubled in almost equally sublime fashion, Tielemans sending Ramsey through on goal with an audacious “no look” reverse pass, the midfielder sliding his finish under Svilar.

Roma looked to hit back and Ezri Konsa twice had to be alert to clear as the dangerous Stephen El Shaaraway threatened to break through.

But it was Villa who looked the more efficient attacking force and five minutes before the break they had their third. Buendia teased to cross with his right but switched to his left before delivering into the box, Watkins heading in off the post from six yards out.

Rogers was one of eight players brought on at the break but his night lasted fewer than five minutes as he was forced off.

His replacement, 18-year-old Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, looked lively and sent a low drive just wide of goal.

Villa weren’t nearly so fluid as the first half and Roma almost pulled one back when substitute Matias Soule sent a vicious effort off the bar from just outside the box.

That proved a rare moment of alarm and Malen made it four late on when he collected John McGinn's pass and finished smartly inside the near post.

Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez (Bizot HT), Bogarde (Cash HT), Konsa, Mings (Torres HT), Maatsen (Digne HT), Kamara (Iling-Junior 64), Tielemans (Onana HT), Bailey (McGinn HT), Buendia (Rogers HT (Jimoh-Aloba 52)), Ramsey (Hemmings 64), Watkins (Malen HT).