Morgan Rogers issues Aston Villa challenge after Manchester City win

The 2-1 triumph saw Unai Emery’s team climb above the reigning Premier League champions in the table and within striking distance of the top-four heading into Christmas.

But Rogers, who helped down his former club by scoring for the fifth time this season, warned the impressive display will count for nothing if they cannot repeat it more consistently, starting with the Boxing Day trip to Newcastle.

He said: “We have to be more consistent because we have proved we can produce performances like that.

"We need to look at this game and show each other that we can do this and be more consistent on a regular basis

"The pleasing thing is we know we still have another gear we can go into - we need to add consistency now.

"The important thing is we know we can do that. We have a bunch of players that want to do it, are willing to do it and crucially, believe we will do it.”

Rogers set up Jhon Duran’s 16th minute opener and then struck himself in the second half meaning Phil Foden’s late goal was a mere consolation for the visitors.

Pep Guardiola’s four-time defending champions have now lost nine of their last 12 matches in all competitions but Rogers believes Villa should still receive full credit for their efforts.

The England international also revealed how a rare week-long break before the match had helped preparation.

He said: "It was nice to work on a gameplan again.

"It's been hard at times because we've spent more time studying videos and watching stuff, as opposed to actually being on the training pitch working on it. To have a full week to prepare for this game was nice.

"But we know the fixture schedule is not that kind to us every week so we'll have to learn to manage it and do what's best for the team. We need to try and improve when we get back to normal (schedule) again.”

On City he added: “The way they move the ball, the way they shift and the patterns of play, it is still just as hard (to play against them). 

“You might not think they are getting the results but it is still 90 minutes of graft, of work, of real hard determination which you need to show or they are going to pick you off, regardless of whether you are in a good vein of form or bad vein of form, they are just quality players.

“We deserve the credit that we delivered and deserved to win. I know they have not been on a great run but I don’t think it takes anything away from how good we were.”