'No different now' - Morgan Rogers makes clear his feelings about Wolves

Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers is relishing this weekend's West Midlands derby with Wolves

After an excellent start to the season with Aston Villa, it’ll mean that little bit more to Morgan Rogers if he can put on another show against Wolves on Saturday.

Rogers came through the ranks of the West Bromwich Albion academy as a boy before being picked up by Manchester City in the summer of 2019. Supporting Wolves "wouldn’t be allowed" in the Rogers family, the forward joked earlier this week.

“I grew up playing for West Brom, Wolves weren’t a team I was a fan of,” Rogers admitted. “It’s no different now. I want to beat them as much as anyone. Myself and Jacob, being from the area, it’s a big game for us.

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“We played them last year and it was difficult - I know we won - but we know they are a tough team to play. They are awkward.

“They were on top for large parts of the first half. They have got quality, especially in forward areas. We’re going to have to dust ourselves off and go again.

“They still have the same manager and they are going to have the same ideas. It was difficult to get going against them last season. We’re going to expect a feisty game and it’s one we’re going to prepare well for.”

Villa’s clash with Wolves on Saturday will be the club’s first home match since the passing of legend Gary Shaw. Villa wore black armbands in memory of one of their European Cup champions, while fans chanted Shaw’s name throughout the 3-0 win against Young Boys on Tuesday night.

“Gary was a massive icon of the club, condolences to his family,” Rogers said. “That win goes to him for what he did in European competition. It was only fitting we got the result for him. That one was for him.”

Asked about making his Champions League debut, Rogers continued: “It’s what dreams are made of, playing in this competition underneath the lights, it’s a dream come true. I’ve grown up watching the competition, that iconic song playing when you walk out. There’s no feeling like it.

“I thought we were outstanding from start to finish. We controlled the game. We nullified their threat as much as we could. We know what quality we’ve got to hurt teams.

“We were more clinical than we have been in the last few weeks. We stayed on top of them. We were pushing and trying to get more goals. From front to back we were outstanding.”

For club and country, Rogers has already played seven games in the last four-and-a-half weeks since the season started last month. Villa will play another five in a two-week period until the October international break.

Speaking of the busy schedule, Rogers said: “The Championship is worse than this! I love playing football. What are we, four or five games in? It won’t take its toll now. Later down the line it may do.

“But that’s why we have a squad to manage it. That’s why we have a quality bench. We’re all going to be needed. It’s no different when subs come on and they have an impact.

“They get their opportunity and others have to wait. It’s a squad game. We’re going to need that, given the number of competitions we’re in.

“We knew coming in, especially over the summer, that we have made some serious additions. They are fighting for places. They’re knocking on the door.

“We know that if you do get a shirt, you have to make it yours because someone is standing looking over your shoulder. We know we have to have high standards in training.

“That’s what we are doing, pushing each other. It’s a good group to be around. We all want the same goal.”

Rogers has enjoyed an impressive start to the new season despite not registering a goal or an assist in his first five matches for Villa in all competitions.

“I’m struggling to hit a barn door at this rate,” he joked. “I’m just missing a goal or an assist. My confidence is high. I’m going onto the pitch with a real swagger.

“I’m loving my football. I’m playing the best I’ve ever played. As long as we’re winning, I’m happy. A goal would be nice, I can feel one coming. You always strive for perfection. I’ve always been like that. I want to improve how I have been.”

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