AliousMorgan Rogers has highlighted how Aston Villa’s “next man up” mentality has revitalized their season, with the team surging back into the race for a top-five Premier League finish.
Unai Emery’s side extended their winning streak to six matches across all competitions with a commanding 3-0 victory over Brighton on Wednesday.
January signings Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, and Donyell Malen all found the net, while Rogers played a pivotal role by assisting the first two goals. Speaking to *VillaTV*, he emphasized the squad’s depth and readiness for the crucial final stretch.
Squad Depth Fuels Villa’s Resurgence
“We have so many players who can come off the bench and make an impact, and that happened again on Wednesday,” Rogers explained. “It’s all about fresh legs and choosing the right player for the moment. That ‘next man up’ mentality is driving us forward, and it’s working really well.”
Villa endured a rocky spell earlier in the season, with inconsistency threatening their European ambitions—particularly after a crushing 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in February.
However, since then, Emery’s squad has rediscovered its form, securing back-to-back away wins at Brentford and Brighton without conceding a single goal. Rogers credited the turnaround to a shift in mentality demanded by the manager.
Fresh Start Sparks Villa’s Best Run of the Season
“We drew a line under the past a few weeks ago and started fresh with the new signings,” Rogers said. “Right now, we’re feeling good and confident every time we step onto the pitch. It’s just about keeping that momentum going and seeing how far we can take it.”
Villa now turn their focus to a massive showdown against third-placed Nottingham Forest on Saturday, where they will look to extend their winning run to seven matches. With multiple competitions still in play, Rogers stressed the importance of consistency and focus.
“We’ve got a lot of big games ahead, in different competitions,” he added. “It’s about staying locked in and making sure we keep this momentum going. Everyone in the squad is ready for the challenge.”
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