Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand says Aston Villa ‘must be’ considered real title challengers after their strong begin to the season.
Villa have bounced back from a wretched begin to the campaign to ascertain themselves as the shape team within the Premier League heading into the Christmas period.
Unai Emery’s men are actually riding a nine-game winning streak in all competitions and the club’s outstanding run has brought them to inside three points of top-of-the-table Arsenal.
Villa’s run got here under serious threat on the weekend as Mateus Fernandes and Jarrod Bowen scored for West Ham either side of Konstantinos Mavropanos’ own goal on the London Stadium.
But after regrouping and finding their feet after the break, an inspired Morgan Rogers netted twice to make sure the visitors got here away from the capital with a very important victory.
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The Villains – who trail second-placed Manchester City by one point – will look to choose up where they left off once they return to motion at home to Manchester United next weekend.
In keeping with Ferdinand, Villa are right in the combination on the midway stage – but Pep Guardiola’s City side have one big ‘advantage’ over their title rivals that would prove crucial come the business end of the season.
Asked if Villa are within the title race, Ferdinand said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel: ‘They must be. Do you not think they’re?
‘My only concern with them if we’re comparing them with Arsenal and Manchester City… City are the one ones with experience of winning and know methods to do it in order that puts them .
‘City and Arsenal each have deep squads. Arsenal are missing Gabriel Jesus (recently returned) and Kai Havertz, but have gotten Viktor Gyokeres who’s sitting in there or Mikel Merino who can go and play up front.
‘Whereas I take a look at Aston Villa and if Ollie Watkins gets injured then they may very well be bang in trouble. If Morgan Rogers gets injured, who hit two on the weekend, then they’re bang in trouble.’
Discussing Villa’s title hopes on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher suggested Rogers – last season’s PFA Young Player of the Yr – can be ‘key’ if the club were to go on and mount a serious title charge.
Ferdinand echoed Carragher’s comments about Rogers and argued the England international has the flexibility to ‘compete on a world level’ if he’s in a position to improve his statistics in front of goal.
‘His best qualities are receiving the ball in tight areas, turning, when he opens up he’s almost not possible to stop at times,’ the previous Manchester United defender added.
‘If he gets going, gets motoring, he’s got an incredible frame, beautiful balance on each side.
‘All of that a part of his game, taking players on, seeing a pass now as well, I believe it’s just the delivering goals and assists. If he ups those numbers and stats, I believe we’re coping with a player than can compete on a world level.
‘He’s got so many aspects to his game where you go: that’s hard to play against.
‘Once I take a look at midfielders I all the time take into consideration what he would do to me as a defender. If he gets in behind my midfield then I’m saying that I would like players to are available and help me.
‘He can go each ways, he’s quick, he’s strong, he’s got a little bit of guile.’
Ferdinand believes Rogers has eased a number of the pressure on Ollie Watkins along with his stellar form for Villa this season.
‘There’s moments that could make careers. He won that game for Villa there, two goals,’ he went on.
‘Normally in those moments, Villa within the last two or three years have been seeking to one player, Ollie Watkins, they were seeking to him.
‘Rogers appears to be morphing into that mode now which could make it terrifying for opponents.
‘He may very well be causing Thomas Tuchel issues in the summertime if he continues this type.’
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