Emery Should Consider Dropping player as Aston Villa Try to Ignite Season

Morgan Rogers: Aston Villa’s Rising Star Faces a Critical Juncture

Morgan Rogers has become the poster boy for Unai Emery’s recruitment strategy at Aston Villa.

Once a promising academy talent at West Bromwich Albion, Rogers was transformed during his time at Middlesbrough—growing from a flashy prospect into a mature, confident forward granted creative freedom in Villa’s claret and blue. After catching the eye during an FA Cup clash, Villa secured his signature from Boro for £7 million, and Rogers quickly earned international recognition for his driving runs and dynamic attacking style.

A Star in the Making

At just 23, Rogers has long been regarded as a standout prospect. West Brom academy staff saw him as their crown jewel, and Manchester City invested heavily—paying an initial £4 million, rising with add-ons—to bring him to the Etihad. His arrival at Villa Park seemed like the next step in fulfilling that early promise.

Initially, things looked bright. His performances—particularly a memorable hat-trick against Celtic on a warm January night—cemented his reputation as a rising star, helping Villa push toward Champions League qualification.

A Sudden Dip in Form

However, Rogers’ recent form has raised questions. In Villa’s last outing, a flat performance against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium left fans and pundits wondering whether the club is currently seeing the best of him. His sluggish showing has sparked suggestions that Rogers might benefit from a rest—perhaps starting with the Carabao Cup clash against Brentford.

Despite being one of Villa’s top earners on a reported £75,000 per week plus bonuses, Rogers has looked a shadow of the player who once impressed Gareth Southgate enough to warrant a promotion from the England U21s to the senior squad. Emery himself had voiced frustration over Rogers’ continued junior call-ups, especially when he was delivering top-level performances.

Unfortunately, his form has dipped sharply since that high point. The forward has struggled to maintain his early-season impact, and the burden of expectation may be taking its toll.

Overworked and Underperforming?

The numbers paint a mixed picture. Until the end of January, Rogers had registered 10 goals and 8 assists across all competitions. From that point on—across 29 appearances—he managed only 4 goals, though still added 8 assists. His overall contribution (a goal or assist roughly every two games) remains respectable, but the lack of any goal involvements this season has highlighted the recent downturn.

One factor often overlooked is the sheer workload Rogers has shouldered. Between Middlesbrough and Villa last season, he featured 49 times. With his current total standing at 61 appearances for club and country in just his second full professional season, fatigue is a valid concern. While Emery has rotated other forwards—most notably Ollie Watkins—Rogers has remained a near-constant presence.

A Case for Rotation: Enter Guessand

With fixtures piling up and Emery searching for attacking spark, now may be the time to rest Rogers and explore alternatives—namely, summer signing Evann Guessand from Nice. The Ivorian forward, still adjusting to the demands of English football, offers a similar profile: strong, quick, and direct with the ball at his feet.

Footage of Guessand suggests he can mirror many of Rogers’ key traits—particularly his ability to carry the ball and relieve pressure. A Carabao Cup tie against Brentford might offer the perfect low-risk opportunity to blood the new signing and manage Rogers’ workload more effectively.

The Road Ahead

Emery could, of course, stick with Rogers. A standout performance and goal tonight could reignite both player and team, helping kickstart Villa’s season. But with a long campaign ahead and Champions League commitments looming, managing Rogers’ minutes now could pay dividends down the line.

The talent is unquestionable, but with signs of burnout creeping in, Emery may need to make a tough call—for the good of both player and team.