Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Sat 23 May 2026 12:10, UK

Aston Villa make the trip to Manchester City on Sunday for their final outing of the campaign.

Unai Emery’s side have enjoyed a magnificent season, capped in style by their 3-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final.

Villa still require a point to secure fourth place, and they now face a City team already resigned to finishing second after Arsenal wrapped up the title in midweek.

While Pep Guardiola will be eager to sign off on a high and Villa aim to conclude an exceptional season in suitably impressive fashion, both have already secured Champions League football.

And when it comes to his starting XI, Emery has effectively been given a straightforward call regarding Morgan Rogers.

Stats show why Morgan Rogers is in serious need of a rest

Rogers has been talismanic at times for Villa this season, with his goals over the festive period launching the Villans into a battle at the top of the standings.

Capping off his season, the attacking midfielder would net the third and final goal of the night on Wednesday against Freiburg.

Scoring 10 times and laying on six assists this term, he has had a crucial impact in the final third.

And even when his form has dropped in recent months, he has still proven undroppable, with the Midlander always carrying the potential to spark a moment out of nothing.

The numbers back this up, with Rogers racking up 3,285 minutes in the league this term – missing just 45 minutes of football across the entire season.

For context, only Ezri Konsa comes anywhere close in the Villa squad, with 3,036 to his name.

With five of the top six for minutes played being goalkeepers who have played every minute, just four outfielders sit ahead of Rogers for time on the pitch.

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has played out the entirety of the campaign, while James Garner (3,324), Jarrod Bowen (3,319) and Adrien Truffert (3,290) have racked up more minutes.

Emery adores the England international, with the numbers backing this up, but he most definitely has to take the chance to rest him at the Etihad, with the World Cup coming up ahead of the pre-season return.

How could Aston Villa line up vs Manchester City?

Aston Villa’s Europa League heroes could be forgiven for running on fumes after Thursday’s trophy parade, after their first European triumph in 44 years was sealed in unforgettable style in Istanbul.

With Champions League qualification already wrapped up against Liverpool, Sunday’s trip to Manchester carries little jeopardy beyond the battle for fourth or fifth.

That freedom is likely to prompt Unai Emery to rotate heavily and reward the squad’s fringe figures.

Only Emi Martinez and Konsa are expected to keep their places from Wednesday’s starting XI. Lamare Bogarde is tipped to come in for Matty Cash, with Tyrone Mings and Ian Maatsen replacing Pau Torres and Lucas Digne at the back.

In midfield, Ross Barkley could join Douglas Luiz in what may prove a farewell outing for both. Further forward, Leon Bailey, Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho are all pushing for starts, potentially dislodging John McGinn, Rogers and Emi Buendia.

Up front, Tammy Abraham is in line for a long‑awaited league start, despite Ollie Watkins’ impressive recent return to form, with eight goal contributions in his last nine league games.

In all, Emery could make nine changes – a final‑day selection that doubles as both a lap of honour and, for some, a goodbye.