The Athletic FC Podcast How Morgan Rogers is driving Villa's unlikely title charge
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Dec 22, 2025 Join football journalist Adam Crafton, known for his insightful club analysis, and Jack Pitt-Brooke, who offers data-driven perspectives, as they dive into Aston Villa's thrilling rise with Morgan Rogers leading the charge. They dissect Rogers' stunning performance against Manchester United and debate his potential role in the England squad alongside stars like Bellingham. The discussion also covers Villa's title hopes, the fallout from Wolves' dismal form, and the chaos of Spurs' latest match, revealing the intricacies of Premier League drama.
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Realistic Limits On Villa's Title Bid
- Villa's strong run is impressive but squad depth and fixture congestion, especially Europa League involvement, make sustaining a title charge unlikely.
- Adam expects City and Arsenal's quality and experience to tell across the season while Villa target top-four consistency.
Prioritise Long-Term Stability
- Prioritise Champions League qualification over a Europa League trophy for long-term club stability and financial gain.
- Use PL placement to strengthen ageing key positions rather than relying solely on a cup final's lottery.
Wolves' Decline Is Structural
- Wolves' collapse reflects years of selling key players without effective reinvestment, leaving a squad depleted and brittle.
- Fan unrest and managerial turnover compound a decline that now looks structural rather than temporary.