Emery wheeled around with his hands over his eyes, scarcely able to believe what he had just witnessed.

While there is no question that Rogers is a big talent, recently there have been too many underwhelming performances at a time when Villa desperately need him.

Emery insisted he is fully focused, but did admit that Rogers, who has played 100 games since the start of last season, is feeling the strain.

“Sometimes he needs a rest because he is playing and playing and playing,” said Emery.

“He is able to play three matches in a row in a week. He is able to respond [to] the level because he is doing it. Sometimes he is being clinical, or not. Sometimes as well maybe he is more tired than other matches.

“He is having a fantastic season. He is part of everything offensively we have. His quality and his attitude is really fantastic.”

Villa’s draw keeps them in decent shape for their main target of Champions League qualification, with Emery’s plans again disrupted with a pre-match injury to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

After Martinez complained of a calf issue in the warm-up, Emery was forced to call on Marco Bizot to start the game. It is the third time this season that Martinez, the World Cup winner, has pulled out of a match before kick-off.