Morgan Rogers has publicly taken aim at Sunderland after the Black Cats posted a controversial clip on social media following their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday.
The England midfielder, who started the game at the Stadium of Light, voiced his irritation online after Sunderland’s media team highlighted a heavy challenge he suffered during the match.
Villa looked set to claim their first Premier League win of the season when Matty Cash netted midway through the second half, only for Wilson Isidor to level late on and rescue a point for the newly promoted hosts. Despite playing over half the game with 10 men after Reinildo Mandava’s red card, Sunderland held firm, leaving Villa still searching for their first victory of the campaign.
The Tackle That Sparked the Row
The flashpoint came in the second half when Rogers was clattered by Trai Hume, who launched into a fierce sliding challenge. The Villa man was left tumbling across the turf and clutching his ankle, though no further action was taken by referee Sam Barrott.
Instead of downplaying the incident, Sunderland doubled down the following morning, posting a clip of Hume’s tackle on Instagram with the caption: “Still fot the ball.”
Rogers was far from impressed. Sharing the post on his own accounts, he wrote: “Great message to send out… dangerous tackles getting highlight reels.”
Rogers Under Scrutiny
The 22-year-old’s frustration stems not only from the tackle but also from Villa’s stuttering start to the season. Making his 50th appearance for the club, Rogers struggled to make an impact, drawing criticism from pundits.
Former striker Troy Deeney suggested the midfielder must show more for his club after shining with England. “He’s not exempt from criticism. He needs to raise his game. You can’t perform on the international stage and then go missing at club level,” Deeney told the Birmingham Mail.
What’s Next for Villa
With the draw leaving Villa inside the relegation zone, Unai Emery will be desperate to spark a turnaround. Rogers, meanwhile, will get an immediate chance to respond to his critics on Thursday, when Villa open their Europa League campaign at home to Bologna.