Rogers ready for run-in

Morgan Rogers insists he and his team-mates are ready for the business end of the season, as they prepare to face Southampton at St Mary’s this weekend.

Unai Emery’s Villans travel to the south coast on Saturday looking to bounce back from a first defeat in eight games against PSG in midweek, in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Having netted at the Parc des Princes, Rogers briefly reflected on his personal form, but insists he is more focused on ensuring Villa return to winning ways against the Saints.

He said: “The season’s gone well for me personally, but it’s not done now. The business end games that we’ve got left, it’s important for me to show my form into this stage and not just stop now.  

“These are the big games that can define our season and whether it becomes a good or a great season. It’s about finishing it off now and then in the summer I can look back at my season.

“Now’s not the time to do so, it’s just to keep focused and keep pushing that final bit just to get where we want to get to and try get our objectives.”

With 25 goal contributions in 45 games and counting so far this season, the England midfielder has emerged as one of Villa’s top attacking performers throughout 2024/25.

Rogers revealed the key behind his impressive form, and how he’s been able to excel in B6 since arriving in January 2024.

“I just think confidence, playing with freedom, playing with a smile on my face, enjoying my football,” the 22-year-old added. “Sometimes, it’s as simple as that.

“We don’t need to be too complicated about it, it’s just about showing how good you are and showing your qualities in the team and enjoying the game.

“Especially for someone like me, if I’ve got a smile on my face and I’m happy, that’s when I’m at my best, and I’m like that here.

“I love the staff, I love the players that I play with, so it makes it more enjoyable.

“There was not a better club to come into than this. The manager, the players around, they’ve all pushed me and drove me on and got the best out of me.”