Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand says Aston Villa ‘have to be’ considered genuine title challengers after their strong start to the season.
Villa have bounced back from a wretched start to the campaign to establish themselves as the form team in the Premier League heading into the Christmas period.
Unai Emery’s men are now riding a nine-game winning streak in all competitions and the club’s outstanding run has brought them to within three points of top-of-the-table Arsenal.
Villa’s run came under serious threat at the weekend as Mateus Fernandes and Jarrod Bowen scored for West Ham either side of Konstantinos Mavropanos’ own goal at the London Stadium.
But after regrouping and finding their feet after the break, an inspired Morgan Rogers netted twice to ensure the visitors came away from the capital with an important victory.
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The Villains – who trail second-placed Manchester City by one point – will look to pick up where they left off when they return to action at home to Manchester United next weekend.
According to Ferdinand, Villa are right in the mix at the midway stage – but Pep Guardiola’s City side have one big ‘advantage’ over their title rivals that could prove crucial come the business end of the season.
Asked if Villa are in the title race, Ferdinand said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel: ‘They have to be. Do you not think they are?
‘My only concern with them if we’re comparing them with Arsenal and Manchester City… City are the only ones with experience of winning and know how to do it so that puts them at an advantage.
‘City and Arsenal both have deep squads. Arsenal are missing Gabriel Jesus (recently returned) and Kai Havertz, but have got Viktor Gyokeres who is sitting in there or Mikel Merino who can go and play up front.
‘Whereas I look at Aston Villa and if Ollie Watkins gets injured then they could be bang in trouble. If Morgan Rogers gets injured, who hit two at the weekend, then they’re bang in trouble.’
Discussing Villa’s title hopes on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher suggested Rogers – last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year – would be ‘key’ if the club were to go on and mount a serious title charge.
Ferdinand echoed Carragher’s comments about Rogers and argued the England international has the ability to ‘compete on a world level’ if he is able to improve his statistics in front of goal.
‘His best qualities are receiving the ball in tight areas, turning, when he opens up he’s almost impossible to stop at times,’ the former Manchester United defender added.
‘If he gets going, gets motoring, he’s got a great frame, beautiful balance on both sides.
‘All of that part of his game, taking players on, seeing a pass now as well, I think it’s just the delivering goals and assists. If he ups those numbers and stats, I think we’re dealing with a player than can compete on a world level.
‘He’s got so many factors to his game where you go: that’s hard to play against.
‘When I look at midfielders I always think about what he would do to me as a defender. If he gets in behind my midfield then I’m saying that I need players to come in and help me.
‘He can go both ways, he’s quick, he’s strong, he’s got a bit of guile.’
Ferdinand believes Rogers has eased some of the pressure on Ollie Watkins with his stellar form for Villa this season.
‘There’s moments that can make careers. He won that game for Villa there, two goals,’ he went on.
‘Normally in those moments, Villa in the last two or three years have been looking to one player, Ollie Watkins, they were looking to him.
‘Rogers seems to be morphing into that mode now which could make it terrifying for opponents.
‘He could be causing Thomas Tuchel issues in the summer if he continues this form.’
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