Rogers hungry to prove he merits a place among elite
ASTON VILLA 2 WOLVES 0
UNAI EMERY took a gamble by plucking Morgan Rogers out of the second tier.
And the Aston Villa manager will not let his new £15million signing forget it.
“He likes to mention I’m a Championship player a lot,” said the 21-year-old, smiling.
“That’s the kind of relationship we have.
“He’s trying to push me because he wants me to get to Premier League level – and it’s about me showing him that I can.”
Tough love or motivation?
“It’s not a negative thing,” said the forward, who arrived back at his native Birmingham in January after Villa had played an FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough.
“It’s motivational. He’s trying to push me every day in training.
“If I’m not 100 percent at the level he will be the first to let me know.
“I wouldn’t want to change that. He pushes me where I need to and I’m getting better.
“I’m so happy with our relationship.”
Moussa Diaby and Ezri Konsa got the goals to beat Wolves, but Rogers showed flashes that, when he acclimatises to the top level, suggest that he will be a handful. Wolves’ players had to jump on his back to stop him ploughing forward at one stage.
A former England international at almost every level, he has been tipped for the top since featuring at West Brom’s academy.
Rogers added: “I’m just trying to make an impact. The team were playing well before I came and I’m trying to add to that.
“I’m finding my feet and getting better every time I step on the pitch.
“But I don’t just want to be here. I want to do something in the Premier League and I think I can.
“I’ve got a manager behind me who will push and challenge me – I need that.
“The players will push me as well. That’s what I want.”
The only question concerns the best position for Rogers.
He said: “I’m not sure. I can play in different positions across the front line.
“I’ve picked that up since I was young.
“Anywhere the manager wants me to play, I’m happy.”
Rogers returns to Manchester City, another former club, on Wednesday.
He said: “Although I never played there, it will be nice to go back and see familiar faces.
“I was trying to take in everything I could at the age of 17 or 18.”