Unai Emery explains what Morgan Rogers must improve after signing new Aston Villa contract
Unai Emery says the next step in Morgan Rogers' progression is to add more goals and assists to his game.
The 22-year-old has scored three goals in 11 Premier League appearances this term, while he made two assists in the 3-1 win over Wolves at Villa Park in September. Rogers has been one of Villa's best performers in the first 11 matches of the season and was rewarded for his development over the last 10 months with a new contract earlier this week.
That followed a first call-up to the senior England team earlier this month and Rogers made his Three Lions debut last week in the 3-0 win in Greece. And while Emery is delighted with his progression since joining from Middlesbrough at the start of the year, the Villa boss feels that Rogers' next objective is to increase his output.
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"He is here with us 10 months ago, joining us in January and his progression has been fantastic, his process is increasing, helping us getting a new level," Emery said of the forward. "He can get it. Even there is still work to do to increase more. The national team call for him is fantastic.
"He is feeling good in training sessions and playing matches. We are pushing him and trying to work more getting more of him because I think he can add us more goals, more assists.
"He is always playing doing fantastic work, but I think he can help us be more clinical in the attacking third. This is my concern with him every day.
"The extension of the contract, he deserved it. The club wants to keep the better players and younger players to increase and grow up with us, getting the level we want. One of them is obviously Morgan Rogers."
Rogers is expected to make his 12th start of the season on Saturday when Villa look to return to winning ways against Crystal Palace. It will be his 23rd Premier League appearance since joining Villa.