Aston Villa returned to action in a pre-season friendly against Walsall, seeing fans rave about one player.
Unai Emery got the first chance to assess his Aston Villa side ahead of the 2024/25 season on Wednesday evening, as the Villans played Walsall to open their pre-season schedule.
The fixture saw the manager field two entirely different XI’s in the first and second half, in a game that ended 3-0 to the Premier League squad, with goals courtesy of Morgan Rogers (x2) and Louie Barry.
One talking point was the exclusion of Moussa Diaby, whose future has been speculated over the past week as Al-Ittihad close in on a possible transfer.
As well as departures being discussed, arrivals were too as several new signings had the chance to impress during the contest.
The likes of Samuel Iling-Junior, Enzo Barrenechea, Kosta Nedeljkovic and Ross Barkley were on show in an attempt to wow supporters.
While all eyes were on the new arrivals, it was one player signed by Emery in the 2024 January window that earned the headlines, as Rogers shone, scoring two goals in his bright first-half cameo.
Aston Villa fans are looking forward to seeing what Morgan Rogers can offer in 2024/25
January arrival Rogers played the opening half for Villa against Walsall and seemed to carry on where he left off in 2023/24.
There wasn’t a great deal of expectation for the Englishman in his first campaign at Villa following his arrival from Middlesbrough however, the versatile forward quickly introduced himself to Emery’s XI.
Against Walsall, Villa fans took to X to express their excitement to see what the 21-year-old can offer next season.
One fan wrote: “Some players just look a level above even in preseason games. Morgan Rogers is that player. Feel like he’s going to fly this season.”
“This is going to be Morgan Rogers’ season,” another supporter added, with one agreeing by saying: “Morgan rogers will be massive this year.”
The positive comments kept coming in support of Rogers, as he netted an impressive brace in his first outing after the summer break, “Morgan Rogers is gonna be this seasons Cole Palmer. Heard it here first.”
Another supporter went as far as saying: “I know it’s just pre season, but Morgan Rogers is definitely going to be in contention for the next Ballon D’Or,” with another backing the Villa ace to secure an England call up:
“Full England International by this time next year mark my words. He’s going to fly this season.”
Rogers has to have a strong pre-season amid added competition
Rogers impressed in the latter stages of last season, with his opportunity to shine coming as a result of Emery’s pile up of injuries.
The England U21 international maintained his spot in the starting XI after earning minutes, getting better and better as time passed.
Proving that he is indeed Premier League ready, Rogers is now braced to have a blistering first full campaign in claret and blue next term, with his fast start to pre-season crucial.
Considering that Emery has welcomed several players already, and with others preparing to battle for minutes after absences last term, competition is heating up in the squad.
Fortunately, Rogers is ticking all the boxes at Villa, with his form against Walsall certainly giving supporters something to talk about.
