Aston Villa star reveals secret to his success

Morgan Rogers reckons remembering to enjoy the game is the secret to him hitting top form at Villa.

Published 10 hours ago

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers (right) celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Saturday December 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Villa. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Rogers produced one of his finest performances for the club in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Manchester City, setting up Jhon Duran for the opener and then scoring what proved to be the winner himself in the second half.

The 22-year-old, who made his senior England debut, later admitted to having become frustrated with his own form during Villa’s recent eight-match winless run.

Unai Emery’s team have since won four of their next five to climb back into the Premier League’s top six and Rogers revealed he is learning not to be too harsh on himself when things go wrong.

He said: “I think the biggest thing for me is not getting too frustrated.

“The games we were losing, I was losing the ball. It happens. I was getting too frustrated and too down about it.

“When I play happy, with a smile on my face and I am playing free, that is when I am at my best.

“Saturday I had the smile on my face, that energy, that real enthusiasm to do well. That is probably why I played better than I have done in recent weeks. I am happy to be part of the team and to win the game, most importantly.”