Morgan Rogers in action for Villa against Manchester United on Sunday.

Man Utd legend agrees with Unai Emery over Aston Villa snub

Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Morgan Rogers is told he’s unlucky not to be in the senior England squad

08 Oct 2024, 10:13 by James Pallatt · Birmingham Live

Dwight Yorke’s former Manchester United strike partner Andy Cole believes Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is unlucky not to be in the senior England squad.

Interim England boss Lee Carsley has not named Rogers in his squad for the upcoming Nations League matches, despite his brilliant form for Villa so far this season. The 22-year-old has been a key figure for Unai Emery’s side as they have made a strong start in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Carsley was at Villa Park last Wednesday night as Villa beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in the Champions League and when asked how close Rogers was to being picked, he said: “Yeah, there’s a lot of players that were close to being in this squad.

“The talent we have got available for us, it would have been quite easy to name a 40-man squad and almost justify having them all in. But the challenge is making sure that we pick a competitive squad and a squad where I think we can win the two games.”

Rogers has been named in England’s under-21s squad once again after missing out for the seniors, which will likely anger Emery. The Villa boss publicly criticised the decision to pick him for the under-21s earlier this season.

"What does he gain by playing in the under-21s, Morgan Rogers? He is ready in case they want to call him for the national team, I can understand,” he said. "My response to it, my question is, Morgan Rogers, now he is a reality. The first six months he was here, was OK, but now he is confirming it – not to play in the under-21s. If they are calling him in the national team, the first team, OK perfect. If not, why?

"What is a player like Morgan Rogers gaining by playing for the under-21s? I am surprised. I respect that they are not calling him for the first team, but the second team? He is not a player for the second team.”

Speaking about Rogers, Cole, who won the treble at United alongside Yorke, told Betfred: “I really like Morgan. I was speaking to Michael Carrick about him recently and I saw him tear Arsenal apart. He’s another English player that’s playing really well, so why shouldn’t he be included? Carsley looks as if he’s going to give young players opportunities and not be rigid by picking the same players and same team.

“He’s a little bit unfortunate this time around. If somebody’s playing well, then they should be given the opportunity, but that’s not always the case.”

Should Rogers be in the senior England squad? Tell us HERE

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