Richard Dunne has backed Morgan Rogers to stay at Aston Villa and predicted the club will “get the job done” against Freiburg in Istanbul.
- Dunne advised Rogers to stay, insisting he can be “the star at Villa” rather than a squad player elsewhere
- He challenged Watkins to score more consistently to push Harry Kane for England’s number one spot
- The former defender acknowledged Villa Park’s atmosphere cannot be fully replicated in Istanbul
- Dunne backed Villa to win the final citing Martinez, McGinn and Emery’s meticulous preparation
“Stay at Villa, Morgan”. Dunne’s direct advice
The Morgan Rogers transfer saga has dominated Villa’s summer transfer landscape for months. Manchester United have identified him as Bruno Fernandes’ long-term successor.
Liverpool are equally keen. PSG have entered the conversation. Richard Dunne’s advice to the 23-year-old was characteristically direct, and grounded in genuine footballing logic.
Speaking exclusively to Read Aston Villa via Freebets.com, the home of the best betting sites, Dunne said: “He wants to play Champions League football and hopefully Aston Villa can deliver this.”
“He also will want to be shown that Villa can continue to invest in top players to grow the squad, so they can compete in all major competitions. If this happens and Emery supports him with the right encouragement, then he can be the star at Villa, whereas he may not be if he moves to Liverpool or Man United.”
That distinction star player at Villa versus squad member at a bigger club — is the most important variable in Rogers’ summer decision-making process.
Dunne acknowledged the pull of English football’s traditional elite. “Those clubs are bigger so depending on if he feels he can’t push on any further, he may choose to leave. But while he is thriving now, he should continue where he is.”
The implicit message to Villa’s ownership is equally clear deliver Champions League football, back Emery in the transfer market, and the case for Rogers staying becomes overwhelming.
Watkins and England – “Score more consistently”
Ollie Watkins’ England situation has been a recurring frustration throughout the season. The 30-year-old has delivered 17 goals and been outstanding in Villa’s European campaign, yet questions about his international recognition persist. Dunne’s assessment was honest and challenging in equal measure.
“He is a very good striker and his goals show this,” the former Ireland international stated. “But I would say he needs to be more consistent with his scoring, he has often gone through a six, seven, eight game streak of not scoring, which can be an issue.”
His specific recommendation was equally direct. “To be given the full recognition, aim to score more consistently through the season, so when it comes to England, you’re pushing Kane to be the first choice striker.”
That target, challenging Harry Kane for the number nine shirt rather than competing for a place in the squad, reflects the ambition Villa must continue to inspire in their star forward.
Villa Park vs Istanbul – The atmosphere challenge
Dunne was honest about the specific challenge of replicating Villa Park’s extraordinary European atmosphere in a neutral venue in Turkey. His response balanced realism with genuine confidence in Emery’s ability to compensate.
“It’s big for sure and this showed last week,” he acknowledged. “Villa Park was rocking. They have beaten Arsenal and Man City at home this season and gave PSG a good game last year. Can it be replicated in Istanbul? Likely no.”
However, Dunne immediately offered the counterpoint. “But when you have Unai Emery as coach in the final, he knows how to win this trophy.” That simple but powerful observation cuts to the heart of Villa’s greatest advantage on 20 May, not the crowd, not the occasion, but the man in the dugout.
“I fancy Villa to get the job done” – Dunne’s prediction
Dunne’s final verdict was confident, specific, and grounded in genuine footballing reasoning. He identified the individual quality within Villa’s squad as the decisive factor and placed Emery’s preparation at the centre of everything.
“I fancy Aston Villa to get the job done,” he stated. “You have Watkins, Rogers, Buendia, McGinn, players who can rise to the occasion. Plus Martinez in goal, who has played in a World Cup final. You have players who have performed at the top level of European and world football. And with Emery, who has won this competition a number of times, his preparation will be meticulous to ensure he adds another one to his collection.”
ReadAstonVilla Verdict
Dunne’s message to Rogers, stay and be the star is exactly right. His challenge to Watkins, score more consistently, is exactly what the England striker needs to hear. And his prediction for Istanbul reflects what every Villa supporter believes deep down. The players are ready. The manager is ready. Wednesday 20 May cannot come soon enough.
