Sports
Morgan Rogers: Unai Emery calls for Aston Villa forward to ‘grow up’ through adversity as poor form continues | Football News
From cheering to jeering. Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers has lacked his usual spark this season but gets his next chance to address his poor form against Fulham, live on Sky Sports, this Sunday.
The struggles of the 2024/25 Young Player of the Season in the opening seven fixtures have mirrored those of Villa as a whole.
An absence of ideas in the final third, careless mistakes and performances that have sparked justified criticism.
Villa tasted victory for the first time in the new campaign on Thursday against Bologna, an unconvincing 1-0 win at home in the Europa League, but Rogers’ problems persisted.
The forward completed just 42 per cent of his passes on the evening and lost the ball a total of 29 times. His own supporters ironically jeered at him towards the latter stages of the game as he retained possession with time ticking down.
The struggles are clear to see but Unai Emery is determined to play Rogers back into form, insisting the 23-year-old needs to “accept” fair criticism from the fanbase after yet another below-par performance.
Ahead of the meeting against Fulham at Villa Park, Sky Sports takes a look at what could be causing this dip in form for Rogers…
What has changed?
The numbers support the eye test. There has been a notable drop in chances created, dribbles completed, pass accuracy and his duels won in each outing.
The dip in confidence and form is impacting all facets of his game. But why?
An ankle injury picked up against Roma in pre-season could be at fault for the slow start but Rogers being on the ball in different positions and a lack of cohesion in the Villa set-up could offer a better explanation.
Previously, in a much larger sample size, Rogers picked the ball up from deeper positions and drove into space.
If he did drift out wide from his usual position off the striker, he would operate within the half spaces on the right with Jacob Ramsey or Marcus Rashford on the other flank.
This term, in the absence of Ramsey and Rashford following their exits, as well as Donyell Malen and new signing Evann Guessand being trialled on the right, Rogers has been tasked with finding room on the left.
New surroundings, less space to drive into from deeper positions and Villa favouring the left side for 38 per cent of their attacks.
The onus and limelight has fallen on the 23-year-old to solve Villa’s lack of attacking flair and the criticism as they continue to struggle has followed as a result.
“When there are goal droughts, we tend to see that there is this almost self-perpetuating cycle of low confidence and low performance,” performance psychologist Matt Shaw of InnerDrive told Sky Sports before the 1-1 draw with Sunderland.
“Players might have some fear of failure or will be trying too hard, overcomplicating it.” Rogers is doing exactly that through his desperation to make an impact.
The next problem he is facing is the cohesion and chemistry with those around him.
In seven games, Emery has deployed six different combinations within his previously solidified front four. The slow start has prompted change and Rogers is struggling to find his feet as his boss searches for his strongest attacking line-up.
Ollie Watkins, Malen, Guessand and Emiliano Buendia are all experiencing similar problems but Emery is depending on the talent of Rogers, knowing what he is capable of at his best, to reignite both himself and the team in the final third.
Emery: Rogers has to accept this experience and grow
As a result of his dependence on Rogers, as well as his belief in his ability, Emery has not allowed him to shy away from the adversity. He wants him to grow from it.
The forward has started all six games in the Premier League, was given the nod against Bologna and featured off the bench during the defeat to Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
He joins Matty Cash and captain John McGinn as the only three players to feature in every game so far.
“Morgan is young and he needs to accept it. Today, I kept him on the field for 90 minutes because I wanted his reaction to it, how he was accepting everything and he did it,” Emery said after the Bologna win.
“He did not play well, he was not clinical in the attacking third to do the last assists but I wanted to keep him [on] because, firstly, he is always doing his tasks, always working for the team.
“But today he was not being clinical offensively. He needs to take experience of not playing well, the crowd sometimes not being happy with him. He has to accept these experiences and grow up through it.”
Strong words from Emery but it is a testament to the faith and confidence he has in Rogers. Villa have taken steps in the right direction in recent games, Rogers now has to follow suit.
‘Something to applaud in Rogers’ determination’
Sky Sports News’ Rob Jones:
“It was interesting speaking to a former Villa player of some repute in the build-up to Thursday’s game against Bologna about how the atmosphere could turn when things weren’t going well, a point that was delicately re-emphasised by Ezri Konsa in his interview after the game and it was Morgan Rogers that was the focus of the collective frustration.
“It was such a poor performance from Rogers, maybe made more stark because he has been so good for Villa since his arrival from Middlesbrough, but he gave the ball back to Bologna time after time.
“There is something to applaud that he kept trying to make things happen, continue to seek the killer ball but he might have been better served to play a couple of simpler passes to just get through the game.
“On one rare occasion where he did find a team-mate, there was a huge ironic cheer from the Holte End and there’s no way that Rogers would’ve been immune to hearing that.”
Watch Aston Villa vs Fulham live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm on Sunday.
Sports
Man Utd Show Aggressive Interest in Signing Gilberto Mora
Manchester United are among the clubs showing a strong interest in Mexico sensation Gilberto Mora after his performances at the World Cup, according to TEAMtalk.
The Red Devils are keen to add to their midfield this summer after losing Casemiro at the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte has suffered a serious knee injury. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have been brought in for a combined fee of £85m, but the club are now pushing for a third midfielder to complete the rebuild.
A number of names have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but the club have now emerged as one of the teams taking a close look at the supremely talented teenager.
Man Utd Eyeing Gilberto Mora
Mora, who has been described as ‘fearless’ and compared to Barcelona star Pedri, shone for Mexico during the World Cup this summer despite being just 17, and has now attracted the attention of a number of Europe’s top clubs.
Man Utd are understood to have shown an aggressive early interest in a deal for the Tijuana central midfielder, but they have got strong competition for his signature.
Liverpool have made direct contact over a deal, while the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Ajax, PSG, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan are also said to be monitoring the situation.
Mora is understood to prefer a move to Real Madrid as his dream scenario, but he is not pushing to leave the Mexican side, who value him at around £25m due to the growing interest around him.
It’s also stated that Tijuana have a structured release clause as part of his contract which is designed to protect their interests, while his current deal runs until 2029, meaning they are under no pressure to sell this summer.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Mora is a Superstar in Waiting
Man Utd are in the market to strengthen their midfield options, but they are looking for players who can walk straight into the first-team and make an immediate impact.
While Mora is undoubtedly a superstar in the making, whether he could walk into the Premier League aged 17 and be someone who can affect games the way United need him to is a major question mark.
Should the club decide to proceed with a move for the teenager, it would likely be an extra deal, rather than the final midfield signing of the window. But they would have to put together a major pitch to convince him to join them over all the other interested clubs, which makes this a situation to watch in the coming weeks.
Sports
Liverpool Ready to ‘Demolish’ Transfer Record to Sign Bradley Barcola
Liverpool are now ready to smash the British transfer record again to sign a ‘world-class’ star for Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool chiefs are working overtime to strengthen Iraola’s squad ahead of the new season, with the only brand-new arrival so far this summer being Victor Munoz.
In a summer where the Reds have lost some key voices from the dressing room in Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate, and off the back of a disappointing season, that is clearly not enough.
A freshen up of the squad is needed and one of the big priorities is bringing in a replacement for Salah, who has been such a key player for the Merseyside outfit for a number of years in terms of his quality and extraordinary record of goals and assists.
As well as needing a response in the Premier League after a miserable defence of their crown, Iraola will also want to perform better than they did last term in the Champions League too.
While the Reds have decent depth on the left flank in Munoz, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha, that depth is lacking on the opposite side, with Federico Chiesa and Jeremie Frimpong two of the main options available there.
Liverpool Ready to ‘Demolish’ Transfer Record for Bradley Barcola
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are now ready to ‘demolish’ their transfer record to sign Barcola this summer, after holding positive talks over a deal with the player’s representatives.
The Reds are now ready to make their move for the France international, with GIVEMESPORT sources revealing that their first bid is in the offing.
TEAMtalk report that the Merseyside outfit have been given fresh encouragement from the ‘world-class’ PSG winger’s camp over a move to Anfield, and while there is no agreement on personal terms yet, they aren’t expected to be an obstacle in any potential deal.
Liverpool are said to have made it clear they are willing to break the British transfer record again to bring the 23-year-old to the club, less than 12 months after they paid £125m to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
PSG value Barcola at around £145m, but that asking price seemingly hasn’t deterred the Reds, who believe that he is the ‘closest fit’ to Salah available anywhere in Europe.
Liverpool Make £85m Barcola Alternative ‘Dream’ Signing
According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, reporting for talkSPORT, Liverpool have identified exciting Bournemouth winger Rayan as their ‘dream’ target should they fail to make progress on a move to prise Barcola away from the Parc des Princes.
The Brazilian teenager only joined the Cherries in January, but he made a big impression in the second-half of the 2025-26 campaign with five goals in 15 Premier League appearances, striking up a strong partnership with Eli Junior Kroupi to help the south coast outfit qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.
It’s unclear how much Bournemouth would demand to sell Rayan this summer, with a £85m release clause for clubs incoming for 2027 for a player who looks to have a huge future ahead of him.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Sports
Arsenal Want to Complete Deal to Sign Bruno Guimaraes by Sunday
Arsenal believe that they can tie up a deal to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United by the end of this week. That’s according to ESPN Brasil reporter Bruno Andrade.
The Gunners have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far, with winger Christos Tzolis their one big signing so far, arriving from Club Brugge in a deal worth around £34million.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has also come in, arriving on a free transfer from Leeds United, with Jakub Kiwior completing a permanent move away after a season-long loan deal with Porto and Leandro Trossard leaving for Besiktas.
Vinicius Junior move signalled Arsenal’s intent in the transfer window
Arsenal remain in the hunt for a new midfielder and another forward, with Mikel Arteta keen to make a statement signing as the Gunners look to defend their Premier League crown in 2026/27.
They have been linked with a sensational move for Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, although it has now been reported that the Brazilian will stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, they are still in talks over a move to sign Guimaraes, one of Vinicius’ teammates from the World Cup, with a move seemingly edging ever closer to completion.
Arsenal had an initial £55million bid rejected by Newcastle, who have already lost Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer, with the Magpies holding out for £80million if they are to sell their ‘world-class’ player – something they are reluctant to do.
It seems the Gunners are closing in on a fee that could reach £75million all in, which they believe will convince Newcastle to sell.
Guimaraes to Arsenal could be completed by Sunday
Speaking on ESPN Brasil, Nadrade said: “Arsenal have raised the offer for Bruno Guimares, now they are offering £75million, £70million fixed plus £5million in objectives, totalling £75million.
“Two or three weeks ago the first offer of £55million was rejected so an agreement is starting to take shape. Newcastle are still waiting for an £80million offer, but given that Arsenal have already reached £75million it is very likely negotiations will progress positively this week since Bruno Guimaraes is in Brazil and returns to England on Friday and needs to report back [to Newcastle for training] on Monday.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
“The idea is that this won’t even be necessary, that the deal with Arsenal will be closed. He has already sent a positive message to Arsenal that he is open to it, that he wants to negotiate. He hasn’t forced an exit but has already signalled, communicated his desire to be transferred, to take this step in the Premier League.”
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