Aston Villa's emerging talent Morgan Rogers has declared his readiness to assume a leadership mantle both on the pitch and within the dressing room, as the club contends with a significant injury crisis affecting their midfield options.
Villa's Mounting Injury Concerns
The pressure on Villa's established squad members has intensified considerably in recent weeks. The midfield department has been particularly hard hit, with Youri Tielemans joining the sidelined Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn as long-term absentees.
Tielemans is expected to be unavailable for up to ten weeks, potentially ruling him out until April, while McGinn could make a return at the beginning of March. In a more severe blow, Kamara has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, prompting the club to act swiftly by securing Douglas Luiz on a loan deal to bolster their ranks.
Rogers Embraces Greater Responsibility
Despite the recent return to training of Ross Barkley, which offers some relief, a palpable sense of concern lingers around the squad following this unfortunate sequence of injuries. It is within this challenging context that Morgan Rogers feels a heightened sense of duty to elevate his performance and influence.
"It is difficult. The injuries we have had in the last few weeks have been unlucky," Rogers admitted. "They have all been a bit different and more impact based than what you see, rather than anything physically, which is a bit disappointing, but it is the way football is, the way the game is."
He emphasised a collective mindset, stating: "Everyone has the same problem and we all have to be ready to just focus on the games and our bodies as best we can. We are in no different position to anyone else. We have players in there who are ready. That is all that matters. There is a next man-up mentality and we have just got to try and get in there and win the games."
A Call to Leadership
Rogers acknowledged the specific void left by the injured players, who are crucial not just for their technical ability but also for their presence in the group. "Of course, there are four injured players who are massive in our group and changing room, as characters and not just players," he continued. "So yeah, people are probably looking at me a bit more and I have to deliver, I have to show."
This situation has catalysed a personal development for the young player. "Growing up, getting older and playing the kind of games I am playing, I need to take that step up myself and kind of be a leader in the group," Rogers explained. "I know I am still young and learning off the more experienced players, but I can still be a leader on the pitch and show the way, show the young players and other players that I am here to fight, to give my all to win these games when these players are out."
He concluded with a reflection on his personal motivation: "Yeah, there is a bit of responsibility, but it is what I enjoy, why I play football. Growing up I always wanted to be the best, I always wanted to shine and show the way. It is no different, it is just about winning the games, however that may be."
As Aston Villa navigates this testing period, the commitment and evolving leadership of players like Morgan Rogers will be vital in maintaining squad morale and competitive performance on the field.
