Morgan Rogers, a key player for Aston Villa, expressed strong sentiments following the team’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain at the iconic Parc des Princes. Despite suffering a setback with a 3-1 loss, Rogers conveyed a message of resilience and unwavering belief within the Villa squad as they prepare for the crucial second leg at their home ground, Villa Park.
During the initial leg of the tie, Rogers opened the scoring for Aston Villa, placing the visitors in a promising position early on. However, two spectacular individual efforts from PSG’s stars, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, quickly shifted the momentum of the match. These efforts were separated by halftime, but they were compounded by Nuno Mendes’ superb strike during stoppage time, which sealed Villa’s fate for the night. Despite the unwanted result, Rogers remained optimistic that the tie was “not done yet.” He mentioned the depth and quality of Unai Emery’s lineup and how their recent home form could be pivotal for a comeback.
In an interview with TNT Sports, Rogers emphasized the confidence flowing through the dressing room: “There is loads of belief in the changing room. We’ve got nothing to lose. No one had us to win the tie in the first place, so why not just go for it?” This fighting spirit resonated with not just Rogers but with the entire squad, augmented by Emery’s strategic insights and experience in managing high-stakes situations.
The Villa manager, Unai Emery, acknowledged his team’s resilience, citing his experience with previous Champions League comebacks. While at PSG, he had witnessed a legendary defeat to Barcelona in 2017, where a 4-0 deficit was overturned to a shocking 6-1 victory at Camp Nou. Drawing on this history, he expressed grounded optimism about Villa’s chances, stating, “We will play at home next week and it will be a huge challenge for us, but we will feel strong at home with our supporters at Villa Park.”
Emery’s faith in the team is underlined by their impressive home record. Aston Villa has remained unbeaten in 17 consecutive matches at Villa Park, including a spree of four straight wins leading up to the PSG encounter. However, Emery cautioned that to overcome the current deficit and advance in the Champions League, improvements were necessary. He assessed the performance in Paris and noted the need for more discipline in defense and increased clinical finishing. “We needed to be disciplined in defence and even when we were losing 2-1, we had three approaches in their box,” he remarked, pointing out the importance of converting chances.
Rogers also acknowledged the challenge posed by the French champions, describing the match as “difficult.” He reflected on the prowess of the PSG roster, indicating their sharpness and the need for Aston Villa to not just participate in the match but to actively compete. “We knew coming into it that it was going to be difficult; we’ve observed their recent performances,” he said. The young forward recognized the impressive depth of talent on PSG’s squad and expressed pride in Aston Villa’s own performance during significant stretches of the game.
Looking ahead, Aston Villa faces a Premier League fixture against Southampton before refocusing on the return leg against PSG, slated for the following Tuesday at Villa Park. Rogers reinforced that the team is ready to capitalize on their home advantage, reinforcing their belief in each other and in their supporters. The venue can be a fortress, as he noted, “that’s where we know our best form is,” suggesting that Villa has tested the mettle necessary to cause disruptions for any team in the competition, including PSG.
As the anticipation builds for the second leg, the fighting spirit within the Villa camp remains palpable, with fans and players alike hoping for a miraculous turnaround. The next challenge is upon them, and with the stakes higher than ever, their resilience and talent will be put to the ultimate test. The entire football community will be watching, ready to see if Aston Villa can turn this tie around and make history.