Rogers brilliance lifts Villa gloom

Aston Villa were left nursing a huge of sense of missed opportunity after the loss to Arsenal at Villa Park.

Two of Villa’s most reliable performers, England striker Ollie Watkins and Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez, were culpable as the Gunners ran out 2-0 winners.

Watkins missed a golden chance in first half, shooting wide with only Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya to beat, and he was also the victim of Raya’s second half wonder save – although he still should have scored with his diving header.

Martinez – ‘the world’s number one’ according to pretty much everyone inside Villa Park – fumbled Thomas Partey‘s routine shot from the edge of the area to give Arsenal their crucial second goal.

However, this was a performance which will still give Villa plenty of hope, especially with the outstanding display from 22-year-old Morgan Rogers.

Rogers was their best performer – mixing running power and dribbling skill, that was simply too much for Arsenal on many occasions, with genuine quality on the ball to ride the challenges, win the physical exchanges and create chances.

He was a threat throughout and, while the result may have been disappointing for Villa, everything Rogers did suggests they have a serious prospect on their hands.