Emile Heskey praises Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers

We caught up with Emile Heskey to discuss two stars from his former club Aston Villa, with the ex-forward also giving his thoughts on the England national team.

Morgan Rogers has been a shining star for Aston Villa, and his performances made him relevant for top clubs during the transfer window. Recently, AceOdds caught up with Heskey to discuss the club’s latest sensation.

Another key player who was on his way out from Aston Villa was Argentinian goalkeeper Emi Martinez, and Heskey also discussed how his failed transfer could affect the locker room and himself.

Besides that, the former England international shared his opinion on the current England team and revealed his preferred lineup.

Morgan Rogers can play for any club in the Premier League

Emile Heskey is a massive fan of Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, and the former England international even states that Rogers would be able to play for any top four club in the Premier League.

"Morgan Rogers has it in him to play for the big six clubs. I do. I think he gives you something different. I've seen it with the national team as well. He's very acute with his positioning."

"It's interesting that people even question Rogers' quality. The kid has come from Man City. You've got to understand the pedigree that he comes from and the footballing knowledge that he has. I think he can adapt into any of the top four clubs, no problem at all."

Aston Villa is the right place for Rogers at this moment

Despite believing Rogers has the potential to play for one of the top clubs, Heskey also makes it clear that Aston Villa, for now, is the right place to be for the creative midfielder.

"He's a 10 or an 8. He's definitely not a winger. In those positions, he's very, very acute in the positions and spaces that he creates."

"I do think Villa is the right place for him right now - under a manager that understands him, is getting the best out of him and will keep playing him."

However, Heskey is well aware that Rogers will have to look for another club at some point.

"But at some stage, there will come a time where Rogers might have to look elsewhere. At this moment in time, Villa is the best place for him. He's playing for the national team as well."

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Martinez's failed transfer will affect him

The former Aston Villa player doesn´t believe that Martinez's failed transfer will affect the overall squad, but he says that it can affect Martinez, as he had already emotionally checked out of the club.

"It wouldn't affect the other players but it would affect Emi Martinez who had emotionally, probably checked out and was thinking of being at another club, especially when it comes so late."

"The other players will be like, 'oh, we've still got our goalie, we've still got one of our best players, cool, come on, let's go.'"

"Whereas with him, you don't know where his mindset is going to be. But I would have thought with him, he's a bit crazy, so he'll slot straight back in and be happy that he's around the lines that he's been known for the last few years."

Heskey`s preferred England lineup

We asked the former England star what his preferred lineup for the Lions would be, and he certainly made some interesting picks.

"Pickford. Guehi would be there. Right-back, I'd go with Reece. Left-back, it's a tough one. I like Djed Spence. I think he's done well and he's right-footed as well."

"Centre-back, if he's fit, Stones for me. That assurance and knowledge and know-how alongside Guehi, that would be great. In midfield, I'd go Rice, I'd go Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer."

"You've got to go with Kane up front, right would be Saka and left wing, I'd probably go Anthony Gordon. The reason for Gordon being there is that my preference is for wingers who go in and attack.”

Madueke and Phil Foden are options

Despite not picking Noni Madueke for his ideal lineup, he mentions him as a very interesting player for England.

Heskey also mentions Phil Foden as a player who he is confident will be back, but he makes it clear that he shouldn't play as a winger for England.

"I like Noni Madueke. He's direct. This notion that you have to have opposite wingers and it seems like they don't know how to play on their natural sides now, so I like Gordon for that and the way he attacks."

"Once you have a player that keeps attacking, then as a defender your mind's all over the place because you can't get a minute's rest. And then if you have to bring Gordon off, it gives the next player a bit more time because that defender doesn't want to be anywhere near you."

"Foden will be back. He'll be fine. You've got to figure out how to get the best out of Phil Foden. What was he doing before and what position was he in before that allowed them to get the best out of him. He's not a winger and putting him there and judging him as a winger, I don't get it. His role at City is different."

Read more as Emile Heskey gives his thoughts on Liverpool star Florian Wirtz