Unai Emery confident 'anxious' star will soon fire again for Aston Villa
Unai Emery says Morgan Rogers is “anxious” to rediscover his best form for Villa and dismissed suggestions the midfielder needs a rest.
Rogers was crowned PFA young player of the year last month after an excellent 2024-25 season which saw him score 14 goals in all competitions.
But the 23-year-old has so far struggled to match those levels this term, for a Villa team yet to find the net in the Premier League.
Emery believes the Halesowen-born star could not be working harder and laughed off the idea his quiet start to the campaign might be due to fatigue.
Rogers has played 110 matches in the last two seasons but Emery said: “Fatigue in September? That is difficult!
“He has played lots of matches, but for him, and other players as well, we played 54 matches last season. Adding the matches of the national team, maybe he played 60 or 65 matches.
“We have to be aware how we manage every player for the season, but for now, he is so motivated.
“He wants to start performing better with us. He is showing us each training session.”
Rogers starred for England during their recent 5-0 win over Serbia but then struggled in last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Everton on his Premier League return.
Villa head to Sunderland on Sunday in search of their first league goal and win and Emery continued: “He is really anxious to recover his level. I am telling him to get balance. Accept how we are improving.
“We are not getting the same level in every match, but be confident you will get the same level again.”
