Aston Villa news round-up: Player could still leave Villa Park as Morgan Rogers shares ‘exciting’ news
Aston Villa are now looking ahead to the rest of the season after a difficult start.
Villa are reeling from losing 3-0 to Crystal Palace in their second consecutive defeat, making it three without a win to begin the campaign under Unai Emery.
Frustration has continued to take over after a poor opening to the new year, with financial restrictions being widely reported throughout the summer.
The atmosphere around B6 has improved somewhat after Villa signed Harvey Elliott from Liverpool and Jadon Sancho from Manchester United, both on loan.
With these incomings, there is still the potential of further departures in the Midlands, as Villa News rounds up the latest news after Morgan Rogers spoke out away from Villa Park.
Aston Villa ‘lucky’ to keep Ollie Watkins
There was no shortage of exit links for Ollie Watkins throughout the window as both Arsenal and Manchester United went in search of a striker.
As a result, John McGinn believes Villa were lucky to keep Watkins based on his talents and his level of ability as a goalscorer.
Despite a difficult start to the season up top, McGinn has still spoken out on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel on 3 September to share his belief in the striker.
He said: “He’s a machine.
“Beating Gabby’s (Agbonlahor) record last year, he’s scored five in five for pre-season, so he’s in good form. He’s going to go again; been lucky to keep a hold of him.
“Just a great teammate, really hard worker and one of the best strikers in the league.”
Morgan Rogers shares transfer excitement
There is no getting away from the fact that Rogers is up there with the brightest talents in the whole Villa squad right now, and has been subject to plenty of transfer interest.
Despite this, the England international has remained at Bodymoor Heath and has now been joined by fellow countrymen Elliott and Sancho.
It is this that has gotten Rogers excited for the rest of the campaign at Aston Villa, showcasing his happiness with talkSPORT on 3 September.
He said: “It’s just exciting, especially to play with English players who have also got something to prove in the sense that they want to be in the England squad themselves.
“I think they’d help as not only would they improve Villa, but they’d help themselves. They bring creativity, they get fans off their seats and ultimately, that’s exciting.”
Ross Barkley could still leave Aston Villa
Even with deadline day now passed in B6, there is still every chance that the exit door remains open in the Midlands throughout the coming days and weeks.
This could see Ross Barkley move away from Villa, with Saudi Arabia potentially representing a new landing ground for the Englishman, having been left out of the Europa League squad by Emery.
Given that the transfer window doesn’t close until 23 September for the Pro League, a move could be sought out in the coming 19 days in B6.
There is also the potential of moves to Belgium or Turkiye for Barkley, with their windows remaining open until 8 September and 12 September respectively.
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