Aston Villa were beaten by Arsenal on Saturday night but one of Unai Emery’s stars impressed that much, he made Gabby Agbonlahor’s Team of the Week.
Aston Villa followed up their 2-1 win over West Ham with a 2-0 home loss against Arsenal last weekend but there were plenty of positives for Unai Emery to take.
Emery tactically outsmarted Mikel Arteta for most of the game and should have scored at least once but Ollie Watkins uncharacteristically missed two gilt-edged opportunities.
That handed the visitors added initiative as the game went on, with Leandro Trossard coming off the bench to score with his first touch before Thomas Partey added a second.
It was a victory for the Gunners that was described as a ‘statement’ by most outlets and that speaks volumes about how difficult it is to outsmart Emery tactically, as well as outclass their talented players.
- READ MORE: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reveals what he feared most about Aston Villa before winning 2-0
Gabby Agbonlahor names Morgan Rogers in his Team of the Week
The superlatives begin to dry up when discussing Morgan Rogers performance against Arsenal, who was simply breathtaking to watch.
Deployed in an attacking midfield role for Emery, Rogers used his incredible strength and power to bully Thomas Partey and Declan Rice.
As a result, Jamie Redknapp dubbed Rogers as ‘unplayable’ and Ben Foster thinks he can become a £100 million player if he improves his output in front of goal.
It was a performance from the 22-year-old that will live long in the memory, and although he didn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of a loss, Gabby Agbonlahor still named him in his Team of the Week.
Selecting his team for talkSPORT, Agbonlahor wrote: “Of course we have to have at least one Villa player per week, that’s the rule, but all joking aside I had to leave Joao Pedro, Jarrod Bowen and Emile Smith Rowe out because this was the most talked about performance of the weekend.
“He was strong – he looks like he’s put on strength over the summer – he was bullying Thomas Partey and Declan Rice and they couldn’t handle him in that no.10 position.
“It was his little touches, his turn, running at defenders with pace – I think that he’s going to be a really exciting prospect and to know that Aston Villa only paid £8million, rising to £12million or £13million is such a steal at 22 years old.
“I thought he was magnificent and deserves to be in the team of the week.”
- READ MORE: Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer in complete agreement over Morgan Rogers after Aston Villa defeat
Morgan Rogers has golden Aston Villa opportunity
Emery is a serial improver of any players he coaches, transforming the fortunes of several since arriving at Aston Villa, including Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Leon Bailey.
The Spanish tactician can carry out a similar strategy on Rogers, who is already benefitting from working under a world-class manager.
For the talented youngster, his biggest challenge is now adding goals and assists to his set of world-beating attributes.
Rogers has already cemented his place in the Villa starting XI as the main source of creativity and threat behind Watkins.
Now, with the likes of Leicester City, Everton, Wolves and Ipswich Town to come in his next four, there’s a massive opportunity to record some goal involvements against weaker opposition.
Having already flourished against two difficult sides, he must now deliver consistency with his performances and the goals and assists will start to fall for him.
