Aston Villa ace earns first senior international call-up after Unai Emery complaint

Rogers has been named in the Three Lions squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Greece and Republic of Ireland.

The 22-year-old was originally named in the under-21s squad but he has been promoted to the senior team by interim head coach Carsley. This exciting news comes a week after Villa boss Unai Emery complained at Rogers being called up time and time again for competitions he is too old and too good for.

Expressing his concerns, Emery said: “This is why I talk about friendly matches and under-21s, if he is really important to go there and play, sacrifice his rest and risk being injured? This is really my worry with him. I am trying to protect him a lot. We need him now here more than the national team will need him.”

Belgium recently agreed to not name Youri Tielemans in their squad for their own Nations League matches - against Italy and Israel - as he is carrying a minor knee problem. Villa were hoping similar common sense would prevail for Rogers for England at under-21 level but that opinion has since changed with the attacker set for his senior debut.

Rogers, who has netted four goals in six games for England under-21s, has been on the brink of a call-up for several months. The West Bromwich Albion academy product has been a regular starter ever since signing from Middlesbrough for £8 million plus £7 million in add-ons, contributing six goals and four assists in 31 games so far.