Aston Villa skipper John McGinn says Morgan Rogers is a strong voice in the dressing room and the club’s talisman is getting even better
John McGinn and Morgan Rogers(Image: Getty Images)
John McGinn insists Morgan Rogers is the “whole package” – and says the forward has already become a big voice in the Aston Villa dressing room.
Rogers has played a key role in the club’s turnaround in form over the past three months, having started the season slowly, much like Villa themselves.
The 23-year-old’s form has mirrored the team’s fortunes. Villa failed to win any of their first six matches in all competitions, before going on to win 17 of their next 19.
Following Saturday night’s 2–1 win at Chelsea, Villa have now won 11 games in a row, with Rogers scoring seven goals during that run – including three braces.
He beat Guglielmo Vicario with a stunning finish at Tottenham to spark a revival in the capital, before netting twice against both Leeds and West Ham, and scoring both of Villa’s goals against Manchester United.
Rogers’ strikes against Tottenham, Leeds, West Ham, and United could each be considered contenders for Villa’s Goal of the Season, with the England international repeatedly producing moments of quality to win games.
Skipper McGinn has praised the talisman – who also assisted Ollie Watkins’ first goal at Stamford Bridge – for his development at Villa, adding that he believes Rogers is only going to get better.
“It’s cheating isn’t it because he’s got a Puma deal, so he got an experience of the ball before we did! You see him practicing in training all the time, like with that free-kick against Leeds,” McGinn said of Rogers’ ball-striking ability to Sky Sports.
“He’s a top player and he’s getting better and better. The lucky thing for us is that he has just signed a new contract, he is only 23. He’s a big character in the dressing room.
“I think he has the whole package, in terms of strength, pace, power and the ability to match it too.
“I think the manager spotted it early when some other people were asking why we were signing him.
“Not only that but the England manager has also put a lot of faith in him. It’s easy to pick the big names from the so-called big clubs but we are a big club as well and competing amongst it.
“He brings a lot on and off the pitch. He is always involved in the arguments. He is very stubborn.
“Me and him clash and argue sometimes, but it’s nothing bad. We’re good mates and it’s great to see him flourish.”
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