Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has revealed the fiery motivation behind Morgan Rogers' match-winning display, praising the player's 'angry' desire to score after a stunning 2-1 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road.
Rogers' Redemption Arc
The England international was the undisputed hero of the match, netting both of Villa's goals to complete a comeback after the team had fallen behind. This performance marked a significant return to form for Rogers, who had experienced a difficult start to the current campaign after a breakout previous season where he amassed 27 goal contributions across all competitions.
His resurgence had shown early signs in a prior match against Tottenham, where he scored a crucial equaliser, but it was at a vibrant Elland Road where he truly stole the show.
A Display of Technical Brilliance
Rogers' first goal was a moment of instinctive quality, a deft flick at the near post that brought Villa level. He then sealed the victory with a magnificent free-kick, a strike that drew immediate comparisons to Emi Buendia's famous set-piece against Bournemouth.
Speaking after the game, Unai Emery was effusive in his praise. "Through numbers it is more brilliant and really relevant, his work today," Emery stated. "His impact was positive with goals. Always he plays well. He does his task and he is versatile across different positions."
The Psychology of a Goalscorer
The most intriguing comment from the Villa boss centred on the player's mentality. "Maybe today he showed that he is angry to score. Being angry, he scored two goals, focusing on how he could get numbers," Emery explained.
When pressed on what he meant by 'angry', the manager clarified: "Hungry and angry to score. Both. It is in this direction." This combination of frustration and determination appears to have been the catalyst for Rogers' dominant performance, proving he is a player who can deliver when it matters most.
Emery was quick to add that Rogers' value isn't solely dependent on goals. "I think Morgan is very important when he is scoring and when he is not scoring. He is working tactically, being versatile, and performing very consistently," he said, highlighting the player's all-round contribution to the team structure.
This vital win represents Aston Villa's sixth victory in their last seven Premier League matches, solidifying their impressive form. Despite the team's strong position in the table, Emery remained cautious about expectations, reiterating that his side are not yet contenders for the top four, but are proudly and progressively building towards that level.
