Aston Villa Fans Express Concern Over Morgan Rogers as Controversial Footage Surfaces After Nottingham Forest Clash
Aston Villa fans have been left worried and frustrated following footage that emerged showing Morgan Rogers on the team bus after their dramatic 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest. The footage, which has sparked widespread debate among fans and pundits alike, surfaced after a controversial moment in the game where Rogers was denied what seemed to be a clear penalty.
The Incident
The pivotal moment occurred in the 36th minute when Aston Villa was still in the early stages of establishing control. Morgan Rogers made a powerful run into the Nottingham Forest penalty area, showcasing his pace and determination. As he closed in on goal, Forest’s Elliot Anderson appeared to pull him down with a clear tug on his arm.
Despite the visible contact, the referee waved play on, and VAR reviewed the incident but did not intervene, ruling there was no clear and obvious error. The decision left Rogers and the Villa bench visibly frustrated, and it became a defining moment in a game that would later slip away from the visitors.
The Second Half Drama
After a goalless first half, Aston Villa took the lead in the 63rd minute. Jhon Durán found the back of the net with a clinical finish after a well-timed assist from captain John McGinn. Villa looked poised to take all three points as they controlled the tempo for much of the second half.
However, Nottingham Forest rallied late in the game. The hosts equalized in the 87th minute when Nikola Milenković headed in a perfect cross from Morgan Gibbs-White. Forest then delivered a crushing blow in stoppage time. In the 90+3 minute, Anthony Elanga scored the winner, calmly slotting home after being set up by Elliot Anderson, the very player involved in the controversial penalty incident.
Post-Match Fallout
After the game, footage surfaced of Morgan Rogers sitting on the team bus, visibly distraught and deep in thought. The clip quickly circulated on social media, with fans expressing concern for the young winger, who has been in excellent form this season.
The caption accompanying the video read, “Morgan Rogers on the bus after the Forest game… gutted after being denied a blatant penalty.”
Fans rallied around the 21-year-old, with many pointing out that the denial of the penalty not only impacted the game but also appeared to take an emotional toll on the player.
Fan Reactions
Aston Villa supporters were unified in their frustration, calling out the officiating and VAR for failing to award the penalty. One fan tweeted:
“Morgan Rogers was pulled down clear as day in the first half. How is that not a penalty? These decisions are costing us games.”
Another fan wrote:
“Feel for Morgan Rogers. He’s been one of our best players this season, and to see him like that on the bus is heartbreaking. He deserved better today.”
The anger wasn’t limited to the penalty decision. Some fans also expressed disappointment with the team’s inability to see out the game, conceding two late goals that turned a winning position into a painful defeat.
What’s Next for Rogers and Villa?
Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Rogers remains one of Aston Villa’s standout performers this season. The club is expected to rally around him, ensuring he has the support needed to recover from the disappointment.
Unai Emery addressed the incident in his post-match comments, expressing his discontent with the officiating:
“For me, it was a clear penalty in the first half, and it could have changed the course of the game. Morgan is a fantastic player, and he will only grow stronger from this. As a team, we need to learn how to close games like this.”
Moving Forward
Aston Villa will look to regroup ahead of their next Premier League clash against West Ham United at Villa Park. Fans will be hoping for a strong response from the team as they aim to bounce back from the disappointment at the City Ground.
While the debate over the penalty decision continues, one thing is certain: Morgan Rogers has the full support of the Aston Villa faithful, who recognize his talent and resilience. Fans are confident he will use this setback as motivation to reach even greater heights in the season ahead.
