Morgan Rogers Man Utd criticism as one Aston Villa player compared to 'nightclub doorman'

The UK national media analyse Aston Villa's 0-0 Premier League draw with Manchester United at Villa Park, specifically taking a look at Morgan Rogers and the problems that lie ahead for the visitors

Aston Villa were unable to heap further misery on Manchester United on Sunday as a 0-0 Premier League draw suited neither team.

Witnessing Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all take victory on Saturday left Villa with one final task before the international break - beat Man United and keep the pace. As it turned out Chelsea also provided the opportunity to jump into the top four with a simultaneous draw to Nottingham Forest, though Unai Emery's men were unable to capitalise.

Whilst suffering an injury setback to Ezri Konsa, the hosts' attacking ranks were unable to break down their opponents' blockade, who similarly took a battering. A flashpoint saw Marcus Rashford not handed a second yellow card and he was quickly substituted, and the game fizzled out into a stalemate.

The prior focus had been on Man United boss Erik ten Hag, who now seemingly faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford. Here are the points made on the events of Sunday by the national media at Villa Park...

An excellent example

The Daily Mail 's Tom Collomosse wrote: "Morgan Rogers is an excellent example of how things work at Villa. Rogers impressed Emery in Villa’s 1-0 win at Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on January 7 and was signed for £8.5million 25 days later.

"Villa insisted Rogers had been firmly on their radar for some time but if he had been a top priority, why not involve him in the deal that took youngster Finn Azaz to Middlesbrough two days before the FA Cup tie?

"Watching Rogers’ performances this season, United’s priority should surely be to find these diamonds in the rough and turn them into superstars, rather than paying way over the odds for unproven players.

"Even though this was not his best game, Rogers still asked more questions of United than any other Villa attacker. He drops deep to collect the ball, turns and charges at the opposition’s back line. They could certainly do with some of that energy and aggression at United."

Didn't go to plan for Jaded Villa

The Guardian 's Ben Fisher wrote: "Quite what this draw does for Erik ten Hag is unknown but it may just spare him the indignity of what seemed an inevitability had Manchester United slumped to a damaging defeat at Aston Villa.

"Rasmus Hojlund was shackled, Diego Carlos ushering him aside like a nightclub doorman, and the second-half arrivals of Antony and Joshua Zirkzee never looked like scaring Unai Emery’s side. Villa, though, seemed jaded from their midweek exertions, the small matter of maintaining their 100% start to the Champions League by beating Bayern Munich.

"At first glance the United team sheet felt like a strange act of self-sabotage by Ten Hag, with Evans and Harry Maguire parachuted into the heart of defence in place of Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez. Villa’s dynamic attack were presumably licking their lips at the prospect of running Evans and Maguire ragged. But while Morgan Rogers found plenty of joy on the half-turn, driving into holes behind Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen, it did not go entirely to plan."

Ten Hag a far cry from Fergie

The Telegraph 's Jason Burt wrote: "After 85 minutes Andre Onana appeared to be time-wasting as he took a goal-kick. 'Attack, attack, attack,' chanted the travelling Manchester United fans and it was a moment that summed up the continuing, unsatisfactory tenure of Erik ten Hag.

"In isolation an away draw with high-flying Aston Villa is a more than creditable result for a manager fighting to save his job. But in the context of United’s frustrating campaign so far was it – and the nature of it – really good enough?

"Goalless away at Villa, whatever the context, would have prompted [Sir Alex] Ferguson to roll the dice, to throw on more attackers. When United were flying that would have involved introducing players of the calibre of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Teddy Sheringham or, later, Carlos Tevez. Now Ten Hag turns to Joshua Zirkzee who – so far – simply does not look up to it while he had to withdraw Marcus Rashford before he was sent off with the forward fortunate not to go following a petulant trip on Leon Bailey just seconds after being booked."

A much-needed break for Villa

The Mirror 's Tom Victor wrote: "The international break appears to be coming at a good time for Aston Villa, who will hope they can welcome back some injured players after the brief interlude. Unai Emery was already without seven senior stars for Sunday's game, with Amadou Onana one of the big losses, and Ezri Konsa was forced off early with what looked like hamstring trouble.

"Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn were also unavailable, meaning a midfield pivot of Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley was deployed for the first time in the Premier League.

"Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are closing in on returns, with both playing 45 minutes for the Under-21s during the week. If Emery can welcome the pair back into the fold before the end of October, it would make things look rather better for the boss."

What did you think of Villa 0-0 Man United? Let us know HERE

The latest Villa headlines sent straight to your phone

Join our Aston Villa WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click on this link and select ‘Join Community’ to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. It's a free service. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from our Villa writers.

We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Villa news. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. Click here to read our Privacy Notice