Aston Villa have moved from 19th to third position in the Premier League standings during the preceding three months – and a prominent element has been Rogers.
Rogers has been in the starting lineup for each league contest this season, achieving both scores in a recent triumph at Leeds, before delivering an excellent assist during their comeback victory at Brighton and Hove Albion earlier in the week.
Compared to numerous other squads near the summit of the league table, the team led by Unai Emery has not been the subject of widespread discussions; nevertheless, the triumph at Brighton propelled them into the top three, following only a single loss in 11 league encounters.
Under the radar
Aston Villa are scheduled to welcome Arsenal on Saturday, presenting the possibility of narrowing the gap to the league’s top position to within three points, contingent upon a victory. In a dialogue with FourFourTwo during the inauguration of PUMA’s latest flagship outlet in London, Rogers conveyed his contentment with Villa’s gradual ascent up the rankings, occurring almost imperceptibly.
“We are consistently under the radar,” he stated. “The characteristic of not being a conventionally prominent club inherently results in operating discreetly. We are simply conducting our operations quietly.”
“Whether there is discussion surrounding us or not is inconsequential – our awareness encompasses our capabilities, our potential, and the objectives we aim to accomplish. Our approach involves continuous advancement and enhancement.”
Rogers postulates that the subdued attention might have inadvertently favored them. “Precisely, with minimal external discourse or presumption regarding our prospects, whatever they might entail,” he remarked. “That suits us perfectly; it is of no concern.”
Prior to the dialogue with FFT, Rogers was given a tour of PUMA’s impressive new retail location, situated in the core of Oxford Street. It represents the brand’s most extensive flagship store in Europe.
“It’s an exceptionally attractive venue, and the event has been thoroughly enjoyable; I’m genuinely delighted to be present,” he mentioned. “My affiliation with PUMA spans nearly a year, and the experience has been remarkably positive – an exceptionally stylish and amiable brand, characterized by seamlessness and pleasure.”
No limits for Villa
Rogers played a role in Aston Villa’s attainment of the fourth position in the Premier League standings during 2023-24, subsequently securing sixth place the following season. Responding to an inquiry regarding the potential ceiling this time, he questioned: “Who could have foreseen our current third-place standing, truly?”
“The realm of contemporary soccer defies predictability. The Premier League encompasses an array of formidable matches, wherein contests perceived as straightforward on paper frequently prove to be the most arduous; consequently, we refrain from taking any outcome for granted or predetermining the relative ease or difficulty of forthcoming schedules.
“The victor typically emerges from the team that exhibits superior performance on the given day, emblematic of the Premier League’s intensely competitive nature. This is manifest in the point distribution – the margin separating points and positions is presently negligible. Participation in this league is a privilege.”
In light of the team’s placement following the triumph at Brighton, is it overly optimistic to propose that the top spot is a feasible aspiration for Villa this year?
“Who is to say?” he remarked with a smile. “We are disinclined to impose constraints on our potential. The extensive experience of the other clubs and the caliber of their managers are undeniable factors.
“However, we harbor comparable confidence in our capabilities. We believe in the strength of our assembled squad and consider ourselves to be under the guidance of one of the foremost managers globally.”
