Aston Villa star singled out by Jamie Redknapp for ‘giving Thomas Partey nightmares’ and ‘turning Declan Rice inside out three times’ in losing cause: ‘He was like Jonah Lomu in his prime!’

An Aston Villa star has been singled out for praise by Jamie Redknapp, who compared the midfielder to ‘Jonah Lomu in his prime’.

Villa lost for the first time in the Premier League this season, defeated 2-0 by Arsenal despite being the better side for much of the game on match day two of the new season.

Ollie Watkins missed two glorious chances for the hosts, but Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey netted to secure a 2-0 win for Arsenal, despite Villa impressing.

Among those to shine was Morgan Rodgers, who was starting his 13th game for the club since his February move from Middlesbrough, and the 22-year-old was at the centre of all his side did well in the game.

It was he who was picked out as one of the better players by Redknapp, who, speaking on Sky Sports, was full of praise for Villa’s man. 

Redknapp said that the midfielder got the better of Thomas Partey (left) and Declan Rice (right)

Morgan Rogers (right) was one of the standout players for Villa in the game on Saturday

‘There’s a lot of things you love about him,’ Redknapp began. ‘I enjoyed his performances last year when he got into the Villa side.

‘You look at his size, that amount of skill, pace, power. It is so difficult to stop. He gave Partey nightmares, he couldn’t live with him. Rice, he turns inside out about three times in a second.

‘He was unplayable, absolutely magnificent. He is 22. Sometimes when he picked the ball up and ran, it was like watching Jonah Lomu in his prime.’

Rogers refused to be drawn on any potential international ambitions post-match. All smiles when the question ws raised, he told Sky Sports that he hadn’t thought about senior England recognition despite interim manager Lee Carsley being in the crowd.

The midfielder has been capped at various youth levels for England, including twice by Carsley at Under-21 level, though could be in line for a call-up for the next squad, which will be named next week.

Lee Hendrie, meanwhile, also speaking on Sky, challenged Rogers to get even better in his play. 

Redknapp described Rogers as ‘unplayable’ and ‘absolutely magnificent despite him being on the losing side

He added that ‘it was it was like watching (former rugby star) Jonah Lomu (left) in his prime

Unai Emery’s side have three points from their first two games having beaten West Ham last week

‘He’s got a glide an real exciting balance about him when he gets the ball, and that’s what I really like about him,’ Hendrie said. 

‘Unai Emery said he wants to get him fit and strong – he looks fit and strong and he has caused top players problems there.

‘I love the fact he has that drive from midfield. I will say though, if he can add goals to his game. We se so many players to get in those good areas, but have they got those goals and assists?’