Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers says Unai Emery would be so angry if he does one thing in particular on the pitch

Sun 9 February 2025 13:15, UK

Having worked closely with Unai Emery at Aston Villa since January last year, Morgan Rogers must have an in-depth understanding of the Spaniard’s demands on the pitch.

Rogers revealed Emery is extremely “demanding” as all world-class managers tend to be.

A shrewd tactician like Unai Emery in particular tends to keep his players on their toes in any case as they set their side up based oꦕn the opposition’s strengths and weakne𒀰sses.

Rogers, who Pep Guardiola called an 🍌“exceptional player” is clearly benefiting from working under Emery.

This season, the Englishman has regi෴stered an impressive 10 goals and five assists in all competitions as he grows froౠm strength to strength.

MORGAN ROGERS STATS THIS SEASON
STARTS	GOALS	ASSISTS
32	10	5

However, Morgan Rogers is far from being the finished article𝐆 and it would be bes𒁏t for his career if he continues to listen to Unai Emery’s instructions.

Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images

Morgan Rogers reveals Unai Emery’s unusual demand ahead of Aston Villa vs Tottenham

Rogers, who Thomas Frank lauded revealed that for the former Paris Saint-Germain boss, the most key 🐎part of his philosophy is structure.

However, the 22-year-old emphasised that for Unai Emery, it is especially important for him to take risks when positioned in dangerous areas instead of playing it safe; a habit he must adhere to or risk the four-time Europa League winner’s w𝄹rath.

Rogers discussed Emery on Sky Sports, saying: “Yeah, it can be [difficult] but at the same, the manager probably wants me to do more than I do and that’s probably bit bizarre for me to say because if I’ve done it three t🀅༒imes a game and I’ve lost it three times in a row and then the next time I pass it, he’ll absolutely hammer me for not doing it again.”

“So, that’s a good thing about him in terms of, yeah, he wants a structure but if a certain player’s playing in a certain position, I don’t want you to play like the person who’s not playing, I want you to play like you. So, we can adapt to personnel andꦉ who’s playing and that’s how we adapt and that’s how we think it’s the key for me anyway.”

“He wants me 🌞to play to my strengths even though the other player might♉ play in another game, his strengths aren’t really with the ball, his strengths are tight in one-two’s, link-up play, where mine might not be so it’s just about adapting and that’s what I think is so good and that’s why everyone can shine if they buy into this manager because he will play to your strengths.”

Rogers has been incredible for Aston Villa this campaign and it is wonderful to hear that the man himself sorely believes Unai Emery hands him the freedom to express himself. A creative player like Rogers, who was lauded by Matty Cash needs 🎉to be given the license to work his magic and the youngster certꦍainly never seems restricted on the pitch.

Unai Emery might have changed after ex-Arsenal star slated him in 2019

In 2019, Henrikh Mkhitaryan revealed in an interview with that Unai Emery held him back from be♌ing the🅠 creative force he once was during the Armenian’s spell at Arsenal.

Mkhitaryan said: “He paidꦕ more attention to tactics, so my role changed.”

“I was starting as a winger, but had to build play wi🍸th the defe𒁃nsive midfielder.”

“It’s wꦚhy I couldn’t contribute as many goals or assists.”

“I like 🍌to play more freely and move wherever there’s space, but you have to do the job that the manager asks.”

Perhaps Unai Emery would have kept Mkhitaryan’s criticism in mind and as a result, he wanted to get the best out of another gifted attacking midfielder in Rogers, who has been compared to Jude Bellingham.