We had the first glimpse in the first half, when Morgan Rogers rolled Sasa Lukic, powered forward and was fouled. With confidence growing, he performed his trademark move twice more in the second half.
Rogers did not score and will play better than this but there are finally signs that Aston Villa’s young attacker is starting to look like his old self again.
Jeered by his own supporters against Bologna just three days earlier, Rogers could have disappeared into his shell. That he did not is a comforting sign for Villa as they recorded their first league win of the season – and also a good lesson for Fulham’s exciting teenager Josh King as he takes his first steps in elite football.
Rogers must have watched King’s first-half display for Fulham with envy. The 18-year-old was comfortably the most inventive player on the pitch in the opening 45 minutes and was involved in all his team’s most dangerous attacks.
King looks a serious talent and gave Villa several frights. In the 12th minute, he left Lamare Bogarde trailing as he glided through Villa territory only to be denied by Emi Martinez.
It was not long before King’s clever footwork bought him space in the box again and this time his shot struck the arm of Matty Cash, but no penalty was given. The next time King faced up to Martinez, he was perhaps unlucky to be booked for diving.
Aston Villa got back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Fulham at Villa Park
It was a match which saw Morgan Rogers back on-song just three days after he was jeered by his own supporters
The 3-1 victory was manager Unai Emery’s first of the season – and a much needed one
Yet unless he is to be England’s answer to Lionel Messi (which, let’s be honest, he is probably not) King too will have moments where things do not run for him. Where he cannot seem to hit an accurate pass or control a dropping ball.
Right now, football seems a wonderful, easy game but fast-forward a few seasons, though, and there will surely be a time when his fans lose patience with him. Before that, King will find himself marked more tightly as opponents cotton on to his talent.
When that time comes, King’s response will probably shape the rest of his career, just as Rogers is finding now. For King’s sake, he will hopefully react better to adversity than the rest of his team did at Villa Park.
After Raul Jimenez had given them an early lead, Fulham had Villa exactly where they would have wanted them. The crowd were edgy, Unai Emery could not keep still and many players looked nervous whenever they received the ball.
Then Joachim Andersen misjudged Lucas Digne’s long pass and Ollie Watkins lobbed the equaliser – his first of the season. And within six minutes of the restart, Villa were 3-1 up thanks to John McGinn and substitute Emi Buendia. In a matter of minutes, Emery’s men had quadrupled their league goal tally for the campaign.
By now McGinn was at his tigerish best. As King skated into Villa territory again, the skipper took matters into his own hands by dumping the teenager on his backside with a brilliantly-timed challenge. That was enough for Fulham boss Marco Silva, who invited King to watch the rest of the match from the bench. Rogers was, meanwhile, involved to the end and if he plays against Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday, he will feel a new man.
It is worth dwelling for a moment on Rogers’ balance sheet from last season. In his first full top-flight campaign, Rogers played 4,496 minutes across 54 games, finishing with 14 goals and 16 assists. Among attackers, only Bryan Mbeumo, Mohamed Salah, Antoine Semenyo and Cole Palmer recorded more Premier League minutes.
Fulham’s Josh King no-doubt has a bright future ahead of him and was impressive on the day
Ollie Watkins bagging his first goal of the season will come as a huge plus for Villa fans
John McGinn scored his second in as many games with a sweet strike from the edge of the box
Of those, Salah was the only one who was an automatic starter in Europe, with Palmer rested for significant parts of Chelsea’s march to the Europa Conference League title, while Mbeumo and Semenyo played only in domestic football. By any standard, it was a formidable breakout season for Rogers and deservedly attracted attention from the elite of Europe, as well as England boss Thomas Tuchel.
Perhaps only the best in history can avoid dips in form and even they are not always immune. So if Rogers’ performances dropped, it is not a total surprise, especially given the tumultuous summer Villa had.
Less than two years ago, Rogers was not even an automatic choice for Middlesbrough in the Championship. Suddenly he was mixing it with the best around. He had enjoyed a taste of the Champions League, helping Villa to last season’s quarter-finals, and was keen for more. If Rogers’ head were turned, it would be only natural.
Like the rest of the squad, Rogers was disappointed at the departure of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle. Though £40million was an excellent deal for a player for a patchy injury record, it upset the dressing room – particularly Rogers as the pair are close.
Rogers produced his best display of the campaign and Villa got their win – this must be a turning point
Then Rogers was as anxious as his colleagues as Villa, hamstrung by spending rules, were unable to be active in the summer market. Just when Villa needed to push on, the number bods kept the handbrake on. There was also talk of a new contract for Rogers, though this has yet to be formalised.
Regardless of the picture behind the scenes, results and performances set the narrative for a season. Rogers produced his best display of the campaign and Villa got their win. It needs to be a turning point.
