Morgan Rogers has continued to enhance his reputation with a stellar performance in Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Manchester City, scoring the second goal and contributing an assist. His celebration, a “shivering” gesture, became well-known through Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, but Rogers claims to have come up with it during their time together as Manchester City academy teammates. Both players, despite struggling to break into City’s first team, have since made their mark in the Premier League, with Palmer excelling at Chelsea and Rogers gradually finding his rhythm at Villa.
Rogers’ impact against City was undeniable. He scored his fourth goal of the season and also assisted Jhon Durán’s opener, making this his first Premier League match with both a goal and an assist. His numbers may not scream prolific, but his all-around play has been invaluable to Villa. His manager, Unai Emery, praised him for his ability to link up play and for his performance in both creating and finishing chances. However, Emery added that Rogers must continue to improve his goal tally to uphold his game further.
Rogers’ influence against City was evident beyond just goals and assists. He was constantly involved, hitting the post with a powerful shot and providing an inch-perfect through ball to Ollie Watkins, though the latter’s shot was saved. He led Villa in various attacking metrics, including dribbles, shots, and touches in the opposition box. Despite facing a City defense lacking confidence, Rogers made a significant impact, with former goalkeeper Joe Hart praising his intelligence and composure.
At just 22, Rogers has already played for seven clubs, starting at West Brom and moving through various loan spells before settling at Villa in January 2023. His rise at Villa has been a rewarding journey, and he credits Emery’s guidance for his growth. Rogers has already made his senior international debut for England, and with his continued progression, he could soon share a pitch with Palmer again, much to the excitement of England fans.
