Stiliyan Petrov loves what he saw from Morgan Rogers vs Maccabi Tel Aviv, he was on his own for Aston Villa
Stiliyan Petrov was delighted to see Morgan Rogers drag Aston Villa through against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday.
Villa secured a 2-0 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv thanks to goals from Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen at Villa Park.
There was a strange atmosphere around B6, with Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters banned from Villa Park, but the home side didn’t let that impact them.
Rogers was arguably the key player on the night as Villa legend Petrov revealed to TNT Sport on 6 November that he felt the Englishman was out on his own in B6.
He said: “Morgan Rogers was probably the only Villa player who actually understood what he had to do. Sometimes, when it’s so narrow and so tight, you have to take the responsibility.
“He was the only one driving with the ball, creating space for others. This pass [for Ian Maatsen] was immaculate.“
Morgan Rogers was on top form vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
Rogers looks set to sign a new Villa deal in what could prove to be the best signing Unai Emery could make this season.
The England international could follow John McGinn in extending his Villa Park contract after weeks of reported negotiations.
It appears that the attacking midfielder isn’t being negatively impacted by the talks, with his performance levels only improving.
That was on show against Tel Aviv as Rogers grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck to drag the Villans through.
The 23-year-old grabbed an assist against the Israeli outfit, while creating three chances and taking three shots of his own in the Midlands.
The Englishman also kept up an 80 per cent pass accuracy and won two duels on the night before being taken off to rest up.
Petrov was spot on in his verdict of the Villa star, as he demonstrated his leadership qualities to become a true Villa Park talisman.
Aston Villa must now offer Rogers bumper contract
Not that it needed proving, but tonight has shown just how good the attacking midfielder is and will continue to be.
Rogers may have struggled at times this season, but there is no denying the impact he had against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Without the number 27, there is no guarantee that Villa would have ever got on the scoresheet against a compact away side.
The Villans now have to put a contract on the table that Rogers can’t turn down and halt any outside interest or noise surrounding a potential exit.
Emery identified him at Middlesbrough and is the perfect man to continuously get the best out of the attacking midfielder moving forward.
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