Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has revealed the passionate reasoning behind his touchline coat throw during his side's victory over Manchester United, admitting he was initially "not happy" with Morgan Rogers' performance.
The Adrenaline-Fuelled Reaction
Emery's animated moment came after Rogers curled in his second and Villa's third goal in a thrilling Premier League encounter. The Spaniard explained post-match that the gesture was a release of pent-up adrenaline, stemming from his half-time instructions to the forward.
"I did it because I was not happy with how Morgan Rogers was performing," Emery stated candidly. "He scored a fantastic goal but we needed more." The boss felt Rogers, despite netting a stunning opener just before the break, could have been more aggressive in his play during the first half.
Rogers Answers His Manager's Call
The 24-year-old attacker emphatically answered his manager's call after the interval. Rogers capitalised on a loose ball in the United penalty area and, for the second time in the match, expertly found the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Senne Lammens helpless.
This strike marked Rogers' seventh goal of the campaign and sealed a vital three points for Villa. Emery praised the player's response, saying, "The second half he was doing. He started more aggressive and he scored a second goal because he was aggressive for the second action, anticipating and scoring. It was my adrenaline there for this issue."
Emery's Full Praise for the Villa Star
Beyond the specific match feedback, Emery was full of praise for Rogers' overall development and attitude. "Sometimes we are brilliant collectively and individually. We need numbers from players and Morgan Rogers is playing fantastic," he said.
Emery highlighted the player's consistent work ethic, noting, "He always did his task and showed commitment with his attitude. Today it was the same and he scored goals to become the protagonist. He is a fighter and a good guy, a very good guy. His commitment to Villa is massive and his attitude every day is fantastic."
The victory provided a significant boost for Villa's European ambitions, with Rogers' brace underlining his growing importance to Emery's project at Villa Park.
