Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has broken his silence on new midfield acquisition Morgan Rogers, offering a significant insight into the youngster's anticipated role at the Premier League club.
The highly-rated 21-year-old finally completed his protracted move from Middlesbrough earlier this week, putting pen to paper on a long-term contract at Villa Park after the clubs agreed a deal that could rise to £15 million with add-ons.
Emery, speaking ahead of Villa's crucial fixture against Sheffield United, expressed his delight at securing Rogers' signature, highlighting the specific qualities that made him a prime target during the January window.
'We are very excited to have him here,' Emery stated. 'He is a young player with fantastic potential, and he has the specific characteristics we were looking for to strengthen our attacking options.'
The Villa boss went on to outline his immediate plan for integrating the former Manchester City academy product into his first-team setup, suggesting fans will get a glimpse of him soon.
'We are going to start working with him, little by little. First, he will train with us, and we will get him ready to start playing and helping the team as soon as possible,' Emery explained, managing expectations about an instant starting role.
The pursuit of Rogers became one of the sagas of the January transfer window, with Villa seeing multiple bids rejected by Middlesbrough before finally reaching an agreement. Emery's public address confirms the player was a firm priority for the Spanish tactician.
With European football on the horizon and a push for a top-four finish underway, Rogers adds much-needed depth and a different attacking dimension to Emery's squad, capable of playing across the front line and in behind a main striker.
