Rogers praises January signings

Morgan Rogers believes the Aston Villa newcomers have helped lift the mood at the club.

The England international, who scored the opener this evening, insisted that the arrival of Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen in January is helping the club challenge in league, cup and Europe.

That’s what football is all about. The January signings have proved massive for us. We knew it was going to be important if we want to compete in the second half of the season in the three competitions. We have made changes but we all know our jobs. We were fully focussed and the players who have come in have been outstanding. It was a good performance all around.”

Morgan RogersSky Sports

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Marco Asensio of Aston Villa celebrates with Marcus Rashford after he scored for 3-0 during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Aston Villa FC and Club Brugge KV at Villa Park on March 12, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)Villa take advantage of magic moments

Aston Villa threatened to blow Nottingham Forest away in the first half.

But having got their two goals, they then had to dig in during a second half momentum shift when the visitors came roaring back.

That’s Mor like it

Morgan Rogers has now had a hand in 10 goals in his last 14 appearances for Aston Villa in all competitions (6 goals and 4 assists).

Only Ollie Watkins (26) has more goal involvements for the club this season than Rogers (22 – 13 goals and 9 assists).

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Villa Park on April 05, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)Seven up for Super Villa

Aston Villa have won seven consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since a 10-game winning run between March and April 2019 (while playing in the Championship), doing so as a top-flight side for the first time since March 1981 (7).

  • 2-0 v Cardiff (H), Feb 28
  • 3-1 v Club Brugge (A), Mar 4
  • 1-0 v Brentford (A), Mar 8
  • 3-0 v Club Brugge (H), Mar 12
  • 3-0 v Preston (A), Mar 30
  • 3-0 v Brighton (A), Apr 2
  • 2-1 v Nott’m Forest (H), Apr 5

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Unai Emery, Manager of Aston Villa, applauds during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Villa Park on April 05, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)From Dan King at Villa Park

Make sure you watch Match of the Day tonight. They could do the whole show on this game, especially the second half.

Forest looked out on their feet when Villa went two up in 15 minutes. But they somehow found the belief and energy to take the game to the hosts.

Although Villa also had their chances, Forest will feel unfortunate not to have got a point.

The Champions League next season will be the poorer if either (or both) of these clubs miss out.