The stand-out performance against Walsall that has everyone talking

Aston Villa got their pre-season off to a winning start by beating Walsall 3-0 at the Bescot Stadium. In a game played between the two clubs every summer there were over 3,000 Villa fans in attendance and most are saying the same thing about one player in particular.

Morgan Rogers scored a first half double to give Villa their 2-0 lead at half time. The first saw Rogers latch on to a through ball by Ross Barkley, timing his run perfectly to beat the offside trap. Rogers took one touch to set himself before sending the keeper the wrong way and drilling the ball into the bottom corner. His second came with ten minutes left to play in the half. Barkley whipped in an out-swinging corner and Rogers at the second attempt poked the ball home from ten yards out. A poachers finish. The third goal of the game came from young Villa forward Louie Barry.

His performance has posed the question - do Villa really need to spend big to replace Moussa Diaby? Diaby was not included in the squad for tonight's friendly despite being in training since the start of last week. His omission from the squad all but confirmed the latest transfer news that he will be leaving the club to sign for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. The two clubs are close to an agreement on the fee involved and it is believed that Diaby has already agreed to the move.

As a result Villa fans are beginning to speculate as to who they could sign to replace the French international. Many are discussing the idea of signing someone like Nico Williams who is likely to leave Athletic Bilbao this summer following a sensational set of performances at Euro 2024. By signing Williams would be spending big to replace Diaby like-for-like. However, Rogers' performance has everyone wondering if that is going to be needed.

Diaby more often than not played as the second forward in support of Ollie Watkins last season, roaming in the number 10 position. Diaby would often join Watkins as a two when out of possession and would play in behind Watkins when in possession, picking the ball up in between the opposition lines. Morgan Rogers played a similar role tonight and after a superb start to his Villa career at the back end of last season the fans are now backing Rogers to be the man to play Diaby's role in the side.

Rogers last season often started on the left side of midfield and scored goals by cutting in on his right foot. However, he has the tactical awareness and skillset to be the man to play as the number 10 and support Watkins in attack. Villa also have several options going forward in Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsey, Samuel Iling-Junior and the soon to arrive/expected arrival of Jaden Philogene. Rogers can certainly play in the central role and has the ability to roam in and out of that position to help the team going forward.

Despite the match being a fairly meaningless friendly, Rogers looked sharp and fans are excited about what is to come from the man signed from Middlesbrough last season. Popular Aston Villa podcaster and fan Dan Bardell has already tipped Morgan Rogers to be Villa's star player next season.

""I'm very excited to see him next season and I think we will see a lot of Rogers as the second striker. We signed him from the Championship and now we are expecting him to step up and play in the Champions League and I believe he is ready.""

- Dan Bardell

The match also saw Enzo Barrenechea, Kosta Nedeljkovic and Ross Barkley put on the Villa shirt for the first time. Matty Cash captained the side in the first half whilst Leon Bailey took over the armband duties for the second half.

Emi Martinez, Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Jhon Duran were all absent following their participation in the European Championships and Copa America. All are likely to return to training in the next couple of weeks following a deserved break.

UTV