Aston Villa fans will be glad that the international break has come around.
It’s much needed for Unai Emery and his players because the team have lost four games on the bounce in all competitions.
Over the weekend, Aston Villa suffered a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, as they are sitting ninth in the Premier League table, only one point off third-placed Chelsea, despite their bad run of form.
Villa players far and wide will now be travelling across Europe and South America, repping their country in games most of them probably don’t want to play in or fans don’t want to see.
International football gets a bad rep from everyone, even the club managers because they get annoyed at their players getting called up when they either have a knock or are injured.
But in Emery’s case, back in September, he had completely different reasons to be annoyed and every Aston Villa fan agreed.
Unai Emery’s anger at Morgan Rogers’ England U21 call-up
Morgan Rogers has gone to another level at Villa after signing for the club in January from Championship side Middlesbrough.
It was the perfect move for the player because, within months, he had helped the team into the Champions League.
Rogers’ performances this season have proven that he belongs at the elite level, but when the 22-year-old was called up by the England U21s this term, it left his club manager rather annoyed.
“I am very surprised the national team called him for Under-21 [team],” said Emery in September. “What does he gain by playing in the U21s, Morgan Rogers? He is ready in case they want to call him for the national team, I can understand.
“My response to it, my question is, Morgan Rogers, now he is a reality. The first six months he was here, was OK, but now he is confirming it – not to play in the Under-21s. If they are calling him in the national team, the first team, OK perfect. If not, why?
“What is a player like Morgan Rogers gaining by playing for the U21s? I am surprised. I respect that they are not calling him for the first team, but the second team? He is not a player for the second team. Hopefully he will come back here in good shape.”
Rogers earns senior England call-up
Emery was right in being angry at Rogers being picked for the England U21s because he is far too good for that level.
But, on Monday evening, the Villa boss would have had a big smile on his face because Rogers has now earned his maiden England call-up, as posted by the official social media accounts.
There have been eight withdrawals from Lee Carsley’s squad and Villa’s attacking midfielder is one of the names to come in.
That’s Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins now preparing for crucial UEFA Nations League matches away at Greece and then at home against the Republic of Ireland.
