Morgan Rogers wows as Aston Villa draw 2-2 v Chelsea at Villa Park
Aston Villa were dominant in the first half of their 2-2 draw with Chelsea, and second goalscorer Morgan Rogers came in for high praise from commentator Lucy Ward.
The TNT Sports pundit was pleased with the impact made by the 21-year-old forward, who fired home a low strike in the 42nd minute to put Aston Villa 2-0 up.
The recent signing from Middlesbrough achieved a 6.7 on SofaScore, and his goal, which squeezed through the legs of Trevor Chalobah and in at the near post, came with just 0.06 xG behind it.
Following an end-to-end first half, Ward’s assessment was: “Villa have been clinical, Chelsea haven’t.”
On Rogers, she said: “Morgan Rogers has come into this side, bringing physicality and driving midfield runs which Unai Emery really likes.
“Villa move the ball quickly, get into some good positions and when they do get in there, they are not closed down.”
Rogers is unsung hero for Aston Villa against Chelsea
Aston Villa faded significantly in the second half against Chelsea, seeing their 2-0 lead evaporate and eventually having to cling on for a draw in the final seconds.
Rogers also saw a downturn in performance as the game progressed, but having played the full 99 minutes in what’s just his 10th Premier League appearance for the club, he was still one of Villa’s best.
His overall rating of 6.7 came after scoring with his only shot on goal, as well as completing 70% of his 23 attempted passes – three of which created big chances for his teammates.
Rogers’ only attempted long ball was a success, and he also managed to win two ground duels, one in the air and a free-kick for good measure.
At half-time, he led the way on Sofascore with a 7.1 rating, which only captain John McGinn managed to equal by the end of the game.
Three goals in just seven Premier League starts certainly isn’t bad for a forward previously untried and untested in the top flight, and if Aston Villa are to qualify for the Champions League next season, Rogers will have a vital role to play.
In other Aston Villa news, King has shared an Unai Emery exit admission amid Bayern Munich interest.
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