Morgan Rogers injury update emerges as Aston Villa ready replacement if needed

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Aston Villa’s latest pre-season victory was marred by a concerning injury to forward Morgan Rogers, who now faces a race to be fit for their Premier League opener.

Morgan Rogers has been electric since joining from Middlesbrough in 2024, establishing himself as a key component in Unai Emery’s attack and shining in the Champions League. The 23-year-old can play across the front line and contributed 30 goal involvements last season.

After Aston Villa opted against making the loans of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford permanent this summer, Rogers is set to continue his role as Emery’s chief threat on the wings this season. Villa finished sixth last season, so they will play Europa League football in 2025/26, giving him another stage to shine on.

However, Rogers could now face a race to be fit for Villa’s Premier League opener against Newcastle in nine days’ time after handing his side a huge injury scare on Wednesday night.

Morgan Rogers injury latest

A fresh report in The Athletic suggests that the injury may not be as bad as initially feared, with Rogers’ involvement against Newcastle not ruled out.

So what happened? Well, Villa romped past Italian side Roma at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium on Wednesday in their latest pre-season friendly, thanks to goals from Emiliano Buendia, Jacob Ramsey and Ollie Watkins before the break. Donyell Malen added a fourth towards the end as Villa sent a statement to the rest of the Premier League.

But Rogers’ injury shortly after his half-time introduction could complicate their season preparations as he went down in pain and received treatment for his ankle. He would try to continue but had to be replaced just seven minutes after coming on.

Villa will hope that his substitution was just a precaution, with two friendlies left before their season-opener next Saturday. In Buendia, Ramsey and Leon Bailey have covered, but nobody as prolific as Rogers.

Evann Guessand ‘set for Villa medical’ on Thursday

In a boost to Emery’s plans, though, could be the imminent arrival of a new forward to ease any potential blow regarding Rogers and give the England international more time to recover.

Villa are said to be close to signing OGC Nice striker Evann Guessand, and a deal could be completed on Thursday.

Villa have beaten Crystal Palace to the signing of Guessand, who arrives in the Midlands on Wednesday night to complete a £22m transfer and bolster Emery’s forward line, according to the Express and Star. A medical will be conducted on Thursday, the report says.

Ivory Coast international Guessand, 24, scored 12 goals last season with eight assists and can also play in the wide areas, potentially acting as cover for both Rogers and Ollie Watkins if needed. It is added that the deal for Guessand could rise to £30m in add-ons.