Gary Neville believes Unai Emery made a key tactical mistake with Morgan Rogers during Aston Villa’s 3–1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Villa were beaten in the Premier League clash on Sunday, and Neville felt the positioning of Rogers prevented the attacker from having a bigger impact on the game.
Rogers Deployed in Villa’s Attacking Setup
Emery named Rogers as part of Villa’s attacking unit, which included John McGinn and Emi Buendia playing behind striker Ollie Watkins.
However, Rogers spent much of the match operating on the right flank rather than in his preferred central role.
According to Neville, that decision limited the 22-year-old’s influence on the game.
Neville: “It’s Just Not Right”
Speaking after the match, Neville argued that Rogers was far more effective when he moved into central areas.
“It’s just not right,” Neville said while analysing the game.
“He had the boy Lamare Bogarde behind him so there was no natural outlet going around him.”
Neville explained that Rogers struggled to get involved in the game from the wing, which meant Villa lost one of their most creative attacking threats for large periods.
Central Role Changed the Game Briefly
Neville pointed to a moment later in the match when Rogers drifted inside and helped create a dangerous counter-attack.
The attacking midfielder produced a clever flick that sparked a move which eventually resulted in a corner that led to Villa’s goal.
That brief spell, according to Neville, showed how much more effective Rogers could be in a central role.
“The minute he switched and went into a central area, that little flick around the corner unlocked something for Villa,” Neville added.
“Their confidence lifted for five, six, seven minutes.”
Emery Facing Tactical Questions
While Emery has received widespread praise for transforming Aston Villa since his arrival, the defeat at Old Trafford has sparked debate about his tactical choices.
Villa struggled to consistently threaten Manchester United throughout the match, and Neville suggested Rogers’ positioning played a role in that.
For Emery, the challenge will now be ensuring Villa rediscover their attacking fluency as they continue their push for a strong finish in the Premier League.