'Doing their task' - Unai Emery reveals special ingredient behind flourishing Aston Villa duo

Emery hailed the flourishing partnership between Villa duo Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers after Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round triumph over Tottenham.

Ramsey scored the first goal of the encounter at Villa Park within just 58 seconds while Rogers, who assisted the opener, doubled his side’s lead in the 64th minute. Both attacking midfielders caused problems for Spurs throughout with their pace and directness, Villa reaping the rewards to progress to the last 16 for the first time since 2015.

It’s not the first time Ramsey and Rogers have assisted one another this season and it’s bound to not be the last. The link-up play between the pair is getting better and better as the months go on, making it incredibly difficult for opponents to deal with Villa in transition phases.

BirminghamWorld asked Emery about Ramsey and Rogers’ prospering connection and the head coach was delighted to praise the pair. “Jacob Ramsey is getting better, today he scored and had another two or three chances,” Emery said. “He will need to be consistent, playing without injuries and getting as well physically better. I think he’s in this process.

“He was a very important player in our successful way we had and will be again very important again for our future here with him. I am very happy because he’s a really very good player, he’s always got a high commitment with Aston Villa, his teammates and his coaches. I am very demanding with him but of course today he played a fantastic match.

“With Morgan Rogers, he’s being consistent as well. He’s performing fantastic and always doing his task in everything tactically offensively and defensively. He’s scoring goals, he’s as well assisting players, he’s getting our identity stronger with his skills and how he is as well adapting in different positions in the attacking third. Of course, we keep going and don’t stop,” he concluded.

Emery deflects Rashford and Asensio praise

Superstar signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio will grab the main headlines having made their debuts for Villa during Sunday’s win - and they both showed signs of real quality off the bench - but Emery wanted to ensure the two deadline day additions didn’t steal all the plaudits.

When asked about Rashford and Asensio, Emery initially deflected by responding: “Lamare Bogarde played consistently again when we needed him. Andres Garcia and Donyell Malen both played in the idea we had. They were consistent and focused.

“As well, Rashford and Asensio, we watched their skill and how they helped us and will help us again in the next months in the different competitions we will face. We are in a new way after the changes we did. We are demanding because we still need to improve due to some tactical issues and how we want to compete in the Premier League.”

In other news, Emery weighed in on Ange Postecoglou’s future after the Tottenham boss went on a long rant about the injury crisis his team have endured over recent months.