Morgan Rogers’ chance of featuring in Aston Villa clash vs Newcastle now rated after injury news
Morgan Rogers’ recent injury is an unwanted concern for Aston Villa as they gear up for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
The 23-year-old has become one of the Villans’ most important players over the course of the last 12 months, and he is now at the point where he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Villa have been fending off interest in Rogers all summer, and appear likely to emerge from the transfer window unscathed, with their stance on a potential sale as firm and staunch as ever.
Unai Emery will already have his starting XI in mind for the opening Premier League game against Newcastle on Saturday, and it has been unclear whether he will have the forward available in time.
Rogers ‘hopefully in contention’ for Newcastle game
Rogers came off injured in Villa’s pre-season friendly against Roma on 6 August, and has subsequently missed their final two summer assignments against Marseille and Villarreal.
The exact extent of the former Middlesbrough man’s injury has been unclear, but it is not thought to have been a particularly serious issue, despite the concern that was clear to see at the time.
- Only Ollie Watkins notched more goal contributions for Villa than Rogers last term (in the Premier League)
- The forward’s final league tally of 18 goal involvements was the best of his career so far
- Despite his impressive ability, Rogers has still made less than 50 appearances in the top flight
Emery’s charges are set to line up in the early kick-off on Saturday, meaning time is rapidly running out for Rogers to make the grade in terms of his fitness for their Premier League opener.
It is understood that the forward could “hopefully be in contention” to feature in the matchday squad against Newcastle, according to The Athletic (7 August).
The Villans will be hoping to get their campaign up and running with a win, and having their star man available will be a huge boost, even if he is only ready to make an impact from the bench.
Aston Villa need to tie Rogers down to a new contract
There has recently been speculation that Villa could be about to hand Rogers a new contract, and that feels like a must if they are to have a realistic hope of keeping him for the next few years.
- Rogers is thought to be on around £75,000 a week at Villa, around half of what their current highest earner nets each week (according to Capology estimates)
His current contract doesn’t expire until the summer of 2030, but it feels like fresh terms and a significant wage hike will be needed, such is the level of interest that has been shown in him.
The Villans have had to fend off almost every single ‘big six’ club over the last few months, and it is no surprise, given that Rogers is now a genuine England international and a star at the top level.
If Villa could tie him down to a new deal, it would be a major signal of intent and would show that they are there to stay at the top table of English football.
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