Aston Villa director Damian Vidagany solely credits Unai Emery for transforming Morgan Rogers at the Premier League side and also betting on him. 

The attacking midfielder graduated from West Bromwich Albion’s academy and left them for Manchester City in 2019. He didn’t make an appearance for the Citizens, who sent him on loan before selling him to Middlesbrough in 2023.

In February 2024, Boro sold him to Aston Villa for an initial fee of €9.6m. Rogers’ form for the Villans convinced Chelsea to spend £117m (€137m) in the summer window.

The official joined Aston Villa in July 2023, several months after Emery took charge. The pair had previously worked together at Valencia.

Aston Villa boss didn’t consider negative feedback 

The Villans will face Barcelona in the Champions League at the Camp Nou today. Ahead of this fixture, Tuesday’s edition of AS has published a detailed interview with Damian Vidagany.

In the summer window, the Europa League winners spent €300m and raised over €360m from player sales. AS states there’s a certain risk involved. When responding to that, the director explains that Emery pushed for Morgan Rogers’ signing in 2024.

“I experienced Unai’s time at Valencia. I remember they sold Albiol, Villa, Silva, Mata, Joaquín… and replaced them with Soldado, Aduriz, Jonas, Jordi Alba. And he’s capable of generating a flow of talent,” he said.

“When we arrived, Aston Villa was 17th in the league, and there were players whose futures were uncertain who are now at other clubs. I’ll give you a clear example: Morgan Rogers.”

“Unai saw him in a match for Middlesbrough in the FA Cup. And he told me: ‘We have to sign this kid.” I spoke with managers from the Championship, where Middlesbrough was at the time; and they had doubts.”

“Unai told me; ‘No doubt about it, he has the talent and we can develop him’. He became one of the five best players in the Premier League, and we sold him for £117m when we bought him for £8m.”

“Unai’s ability to improve a player is like a blank cheque. He doesn’t take over a team, spend money, and leave you with a graveyard of flops. On the contrary: he takes the flops and turns them into superstars. I think Aston Villa has one of the most exciting squads in Europe for the coming years.”

What makes Emery special 

Since the Spaniard took charge of the English club, he has helped them qualify for Europe regularly. Last season, Aston Villa won the Europa League.

Damian Vidagany has previously hailed his compatriot for his work at Villa Park, which has attracted interest from other clubs.

When AS asked about Unai Emery’s secret, Vidagany explained: “He calls himself a hard worker, but he’s not doing himself justice. It’s tactical talent. And, above all, Unai is ambition.”

“Every defeat is a tragedy. Every victory, a constructive analysis in search of another. At 55, he has the same energy he had when I met him at 36 in Valencia. It’s admirable.”

Last September, the Villans appointed Roberto Olabe as their sporting director, following Monchi’s exit.