Unai Emery fails to address most likely reason behind Morgan Rogers’ poor Aston Villa form
Aston Villa have endured a rotten start to the Premier League season.
The Villans have scored no goals in their first four games and start the weekend in 19th place with two points.
Attackers Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers have taken most of the flak from fans for Villa’s poor start, and Unai Emery has even discussed Rogers’ slump in form with the media.
However, the Villa boss will not mention the most likely reason why Rogers hasn’t been firing on all cylinders.
Transfer speculation likely to have taken its toll on Morgan Rogers
Emery was questioned about Rogers ahead of Aston Villa’s trip to Sunderland on Sunday.
The Spaniard admitted that the England star had been below his best, but gave a wordy non-answer when asked why that might be.
According to the Daily Mirror, Emery said: “He is performing under the level he had, and he is, as well, trying to recover level – but getting balance.
“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.”
Emery expanded on that answer to suggest that fatigue was not likely to be a factor for Rogers, and that his forward was motivated to help Aston Villa turn it around.
However, he chose not to comment on whether this summer’s speculation had been affecting Rogers’ performances.
Several clubs were believed to be interested in signing Rogers this summer, although it has been reported that Rogers didn’t push for an exit.
Even so, it’s very common that a player’s head can be turned when it’s not clear whether he’ll stay at a club.
- Read more: Tim Sherwood couldn’t be more wrong after what he’s said about Aston Villa gem Morgan Rogers
Aston Villa fans can hope for Rogers to improve now that the transfer window is closed
No manager would be expected to admit that transfer speculation has harmed his player’s form. That type of statement would heap more pressure on Rogers, and that’s the last thing he needs.
It has also been suggested that Villa players are frustrated at the club’s lack of action in the transfer window, but Emery would be a brave man to admit that as well.
Perhaps it’s for the best that the transfer window is closed now. This leaves Aston Villa players free to:
- Forget about potentially signing for a new club
- Focus on playing well for their team
- Start scoring some goals and winning some games.
With that said, there is already talk of Chelsea planning a bid for Rogers in January. Whether he wants such a move or not, it will be his best interest to get his head down, forget about media speculation and start playing well for Villa.
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