Unai Emery 'loses trust' in summer signing as Aston Villa star tipped for England call

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has reportedly ‘lost trust’ in one of his summer signings and is already considering allowing him to depart on loan before the summer transfer window comes to an end on Friday night.

The former Arsenal boss has enjoyed a productive summer transfer window after adding the likes of Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen and Juventus duo Samuel Illang-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea to his squad in preparation for a Champions League campaign. However, it is the latter of that quartet that is at the heart of speculation in Italy after CalcioMercato claimed Lazio are considering a move for the midfielder during the final days of the transfer window.

The Argentinian star has not featured in matchday squads for Villa’s opening day win at West Ham United and Saturday’s home defeat against Arsenal. Claims in Italy have suggested Lazio could offer Barrenechea a chance to make a quickfire return to Italy as they struggle to finalise a £12m deal for Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki. Lazio are said to be ready to offer Villa a season-long loan deal for their summer addition to offer him and opportunity to find ‘redemption’ with Emery after the Villa boss was left underwhelming by his performances during pre-season.

England legends back Villa star for England call-up

Morgan Rogers has been backed to earn a maiden call-up to the England squad after producing an ‘absolutely outstanding’ display in Villa’s home defeat against Arsenal on Saturday evening.

The 22-year-old has proved to be a shrewd addition for Unai Emery since joining Villa in a £7.5m deal on the final day of the January transfer window and has gone on to score three goals and provide one assists in 18 appearances in all competitions. Those statistics don’t tell the entire tale of the impact the former Manchester City youngster has made during his time at Villa Park and his latest display has captured the eye of former England strikers Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.

Newcastle United legend Shearer described Rogers as Villa’s ‘standout player’ during Saturday’s defeat against Arsenal and Shearer admitted he would be ‘very surprised’ if the Villa star does not make it into Lee Carsley’s first England squad as he prepares for next month’s Nations League double header against Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker said: “He burst through midfield. He was strong. I thought his performance was absolutely outstanding all around.” Shearer then replied: “There’s no doubt that he was the standout player, I think. He was fantastic, wasn’t he?” Lineker added: “I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t make the (England) squad, but we have to once again say, you know, there are so many talented young English players, but he’s a little bit different.”