Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[dorsetvillian]

Rogers had linked up very well since coming on.

[Brazilian Villain]

Presume they’ve just agreed no injury time ?

Either that, or 6 mins.

You’re ahead again cheeky monkey!

I'm actually watching on ITV. Virgin Media Ireland are about 8 seconds ahead though.

[Brend'Watkins]

Bad miss from Rogers aside I think him, Ollie and Rashford have looked really good as a unit.

Yes, tore the defence apart.

[PeterWithesShin]

[PeterWithesShin]

[Matt C]

Well, it was fun to take my son to his first England game on the eve of a World Cup in our nearest city and his delight at Ollie scoring was a great moment.

Thought Rogers was a game changer when he came on and that front three with Ollie and Rashford would look great at VP.

[Dogtanian]

Well, it was fun to take my son to his first England game on the eve of a World Cup in our nearest city and his delight at Ollie scoring was a great moment.

Thought Rogers was a game changer when he came on and that front three with Ollie and Rashford would look great at VP.

Shame only one of them is likely to be at Villa Park next season. 

[eye digress]

Didn't see the game, but that isn't how the press seem to be portraying Rogers' contribution.

And over the past few internationals, the cranking up of the Bellingham lobby has been as noticeably single-minded and intense as that sent out to knock him down a few months ago.

Don't get me wrong, Bellingham's a great player. But so is Rogers, who deserves better than to be treated as a spare part.

Also, funny to think of Hagley Road as delineating the epicentre of world fitba!

[paul_e]

I think last night showed the contrast between Bellingham and Rogers perfectly.

Bellingham is about getting on the ball and trying to dictate play, he needs to be involved all the time.

Rogers gave us a lot more movement and was creating space, they actually compliment each other pretty well but you have to sacrifice elsewhere to get them on the pitch at the same time (such as playing without a striker for 10minutes last night). I do think Bellingham looked like he had a lot more time once Rogers was buzzing around for him and dragging defenders about. I think we have a habit of underestimating just how hard working our frontline is compared to many others but after looking comparatively comfortable for an hour within 15minutes of Watkins and Rogers being on their defence looked really ragged (of course the previous hour or so had taken a toll but seeing those 2 come on as you're tiring must be devastating) and there's definitely benefits to running players into the ground like that.

[Dave]

And over the past few internationals, the cranking up of the Bellingham lobby has been as noticeably single-minded and intense as that sent out to knock him down a few months ago.

Can't go after him as the scapegoat following England's quarter-final defeat if he's sat on the bench, can they?

[Dave]

I think last night showed the contrast between Bellingham and Rogers perfectly.

Bellingham is about getting on the ball and trying to dictate play, he needs to be involved all the time.

Rogers gave us a lot more movement and was creating space, they actually compliment each other pretty well but you have to sacrifice elsewhere to get them on the pitch at the same time (such as playing without a striker for 10minutes last night). I do think Bellingham looked like he had a lot more time once Rogers was buzzing around for him and dragging defenders about.

Which is one the reasons why starting Bellingham and bringing Rogers on to run at them with half an hour to go is probably the right plan, and shouldn't be seen as a slight on Rogers.

[Dogtanian]

I didn't watch the second half, so I can't comment on that.

But when I have seen Bellingham play for England before, I always think he plays with an ego. He wants to always have the ball and be involved in everything and wants to be the one who makes things happen. I guess he seems to me as being more of an independent player, and when its working it's really effective, but it's all on him.

Rogers is more selfless and more of a team player, and if you get the right unit around him you see the best results, and it's less dependent on him being amazing on his own. That's why he works to well under Emery.

[Richard]

I think last night showed the contrast between Bellingham and Rogers perfectly.

Bellingham is about getting on the ball and trying to dictate play, he needs to be involved all the time.

Rogers gave us a lot more movement and was creating space, they actually compliment each other pretty well but you have to sacrifice elsewhere to get them on the pitch at the same time (such as playing without a striker for 10minutes last night). I do think Bellingham looked like he had a lot more time once Rogers was buzzing around for him and dragging defenders about.

Which is one the reasons why starting Bellingham and bringing Rogers on to run at them with half an hour to go is probably the right plan, and shouldn't be seen as a slight on Rogers.

Have to agree with this. Bringing on the likes of Rogers Eze  Watkins and Rashford in the last 20 to 30 mins will be game changing.

[LeeS]

I think last night showed the contrast between Bellingham and Rogers perfectly.

Bellingham is about getting on the ball and trying to dictate play, he needs to be involved all the time.

Rogers gave us a lot more movement and was creating space, they actually compliment each other pretty well but you have to sacrifice elsewhere to get them on the pitch at the same time (such as playing without a striker for 10minutes last night). I do think Bellingham looked like he had a lot more time once Rogers was buzzing around for him and dragging defenders about.

Which is one the reasons why starting Bellingham and bringing Rogers on to run at them with half an hour to go is probably the right plan, and shouldn't be seen as a slight on Rogers.

Have to agree with this. Bringing on the likes of Rogers Eze  Watkins and Rashford in the last 20 to 30 mins will be game changing.

That has got me salivating.

[PeterWithe]

Also didn't watch the game but feel that Bellingham is a better fit for this team when Kane is on, he tends to vacate the CF position leaving a big gap for someone to run into, and that's not the strongest point of MR's game. Yet.