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OLLIE WATKINS AND MORGAN ROGERS HIT BACK AT ENGLAND LEGEND AFTER ASTON VILLA’S EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL MASTERCLASS ‘THE DISRESPECT MADE US HUNGRY’
After weeks of being written off ahead of the Europa League final, Aston Villa delivered a stunning response on the pitch with a ruthless 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg and now the post-match fallout is exploding online after Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers appeared to aim a brutal message at a certain England legend who questioned Villa before the game.
Goals from Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendía and Rogers sealed one of the biggest nights in Villa’s modern history as Unai Emery’s side completely overwhelmed Freiburg from start to finish.
But while the result itself was massive, supporters online were more interested in the fiery reactions coming from Villa’s dressing room after the final whistle.
Watkins, who played a huge role in stretching Freiburg’s defence throughout the night, was seen celebrating wildly with supporters after the match before later giving a passionate interview in which he insisted Villa had “used the noise as fuel.”
Rogers also looked emotional as he praised the mentality inside the squad, claiming the players had heard “everything people were saying” before the final.
Those comments immediately sent supporters into a frenzy online, with many convinced the pair were indirectly responding to criticism from television pundits and former England internationals in the build-up to the game.
@VillaFaithful posted: “THEY HEARD THE DISRESPECT AND ANSWERED IT ON THE PITCH. Watkins and Rogers have absolutely silenced everyone tonight.”
@ClaretBlood, wrote: “Morgan Rogers plays like a superstar on the biggest stage and people still doubted this team. Unreal mentality.”
@HolteEndJosh, added: “Watkins speaking with pure passion there. You can tell this meant everything to them.”
The online reaction only intensified as clips of the interviews began circulating across social media within minutes of the trophy celebrations.
Many fans pointed to several pre-match television debates where pundits questioned whether Villa had the experience to handle the pressure of a European final. Others claimed the club had been “disrespected” all week despite reaching the match through dominant performances.
Inside the dressing room, the mood reportedly became even more emotional after players referenced comments made before kick-off by a former England defender turned pundit.
Then, midway through the celebrations, the name finally emerged.
According to multiple reactions online, the player comments were seen as a response to remarks made by Jamie Carragher before the final.
Carragher had reportedly questioned whether Aston Villa were “ready for this level” and suggested Freiburg’s European experience could expose Emery’s side under pressure. The comments quickly resurfaced online after the final whistle as Villa fans celebrated the emphatic result.
Speaking after the match, Watkins appeared to reference those doubts directly.
“We saw everything,” the striker said. “People outside the club can say what they want, but inside this dressing room we believed from day one. The disrespect definitely made us hungry.”
Rogers then delivered his own powerful verdict.
“A lot of people talked before the game like we weren’t supposed to be here,” he said. “But tonight we showed our mentality, our quality and what this club is becoming.”
Those comments instantly triggered another wave of reactions online.
@AVFCMax wrote: “Jamie Carragher needs to apologise immediately. Villa just embarrassed every doubter in Europe.”
@VillansCentral, posted: “Morgan Rogers is turning into a superstar right in front of our eyes. Fearless performance.”
@PremierFootyTalk added: “Watkins and Rogers using criticism as motivation is exactly why this Villa team feels different.”
Even neutral supporters joined the discussion, with many praising the composure shown by Villa on the biggest stage.
Several clips of Carragher’s pre-match comments alongside Watkins’ interview have already gone viral across TikTok and X, with thousands of fans calling it the “perfect response.”
For Emery, the victory represents another major milestone in his remarkable rebuilding job at Villa Park. The Spanish manager looked emotional at full-time as players embraced staff members and travelling supporters deep into the night.
And while the celebrations will continue for days, many Villa fans are enjoying one thing almost as much as the trophy itself proving the doubters wrong.
For Watkins and Rogers, the message was clear.
Aston Villa heard the criticism. Aston Villa remembered the disrespect. And on the biggest night of their European campaign, they answered it in devastating fashion.
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