Credit: Imago

James Barker

Wed 1 April 2026 8:00, UK

Aston Villa duo Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa started in England’s disappointing defeat to Japan on Tuesday night, as they attempted to cement their places in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.

Neither Rogers nor Konsa were part of the matchday squad for England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay last Friday, as the Three Lions boss looked to hand opportunities to as many players as he could.

Tuchel, however, included them both in the starting lineup against Japan on Tuesday evening, as Wembley Stadium hoped for a better performance against the Asian side than against the South Americans previously.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be the case, as Hajime Moriyasu’s side were the first Japanese, and indeed Asian, team to beat England.

Aston Villa fans will have been watching on with a keen eye on how Rogers and Konsa performed, as they look forward to welcoming them back to Villa Park ahead of their crucial Champions League qualification run-in.

English media divided on Morgan Rogers’ England showing

Rogers is sure to be on England’s World Cup plane, with the versatile Villa star enjoying another excellent campaign in B6.

His eight goals and five assists in 31 Premier League games this term has seen the 23-year-old once again establish himself as one of Europe’s elite attacking midfielders.

So, how did the English media view Rogers’ performance against Japan? Well, some saw the positives from his display, whilst others blasted him for a wasteful showing.

Villa News has scoured through the ratings from across numerous outlets, and this is what we found.

BBC Sport wrote: “Started on the right wing and asked to provide a threat through the middle with no natural striker in the starting line-up. Not his best position but did the job that was asked of him. 6.”

The Mirror went with: “Drifted out to the right and got lost. Looked to make things happen but missing spark. 5.”

Meanwhile, The Sun were very harsh on Rogers, saying: “Didn’t offer much at all in this one, which he usually does in an England shirt under Thomas Tuchel.

“In fact, from watching this game, England’s ‘race to be number 10 at the World Cup’ felt as though it had three losers in it and Jude Bellingham tonight, who didn’t even play…”

Finally, LondonWorld said: “Tried to peel off and give England some width with everything going through central channels before the changes.

“Hit a pretty shoddy free kick into the wall form a dangerous position after 65 minutes. Lashed a volley over late on in another good opportunity missed. 4.”

English media in agreement on Ezri Konsa’s Japan display

Like Rogers, Konsa has also been one of Aston Villa’s standout players once again this seasn.

The 28-year-old central defender has started every single one of his 30 Premier League appearances in 2025-26, and also looks a certainty to be in Tuchel’s World Cup team.

He’s rarely put a foot wrong in an England shirt, and in the eyes of many in the English media, his performance against Japan was a largely solid one despite him not being at his best.

BBC Sport said: “In with a big chance of starting the first game at the World Cup. One crucial block to deny Ayase Ueda with the shot hitting the bar and going over. 6.”

The Mirror agreed, saying: “A real Tuchel favourite – and he at least did his best to hold the defence together. 6.”

The Sun were again a little bit more critical with their rating, writing: “Made a good block to turn Ueda’s first-half effort onto the crossbar when he was called upon, and was decent defensively for the most part. 5.”

And finally, LondonWorld said: “Looked a bit flat footed against Nakamura for the Japan goal and sent some passes astray. 5.”