Gary Lineker singles out Aston Villa duo for high praise after passing crucial acid test

Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers were on hand to provide for Aston Villa in their win against Wolves, earning big plaudits from Gary Lineker as a result

Gary Lineker highlighted the performances of Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers against Wolves as Aston Villa proved they are capable of balancing Champions League and Premier League duties.

Villa were dealt a shock when Matheus Cunha put the visitors ahead at Villa Park on Saturday, and that was how the scoreline remained for almost an hour afterwards. However, those who have had influence in recent weeks turned on the style in the final 20 minutes and prompted a second top-flight win after initially trailing in as many weeks.

"On the pitch they came from behind again, which was a good effort," Lineker began in review on The Rest is Football podcast. The pundit then spoke about the club's return to Champions League football this campaign, which began with a 3-0 win against Young Boys in Switzerland last Tuesday, as prior to the season starting the requirement to handle multiple matches weekly was seen by many as an acid test for Unai Emery's side either advancing to match the level of their top-four rivals or halting entirely in their tracks.

Of course there are still several rounds of European football to go mixed in with domestic duties across the next four months, but upon first glance the former striker is content with what he has seen.

He continued: "They travelled into Europe as well in midweek and it looked like it might have been a bit tired on the end of it. Wolves played really well and scored a terrific goal but Villa, a bit like they did against Everton, came back. They weren’t very good in the first half, were a little off it, looked a little bit jaded and Wolves were really good. But they came strong and you sort of thought ’if they get one [they will go on to win it]."

Lineker associated the team's ability to fight on multiple fronts with Watkins, who after failing to net in the opening three weeks of the campaign has now registered three goals since overcoming a fitness scare during the international break, and Rogers. The 22-year-old has played a key role in the opening months of the 2024/25 campaign and finally grabbed his first contributions - two assists, one for Watkins - against Wolves.

"Watkins has found his goalscoring feet, two weeks ago that probably would have gone over the bar," he added. "And I will tell you have was good again - Morgan Rogers. Really, really good. He was probably the one who turned it around more than anyone else."

Co-pundit Alan Shearer concurred with the latter, stating: "He’s been fantastic in this early part of the season."

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