Bogarde is PASSING muster under Emery

LAMARE Bogarde has quietly enjoyed an impressive start to the season.

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

Villa have struggled at times, of that there is no doubt, but after the win over Fulham it is easier to pinpoint a few success stories.

Evann Guessand continues to show encouraging signs in his adaptation, while Morgan Rogers looked more like the forward Villa fans know he can be - and there are still plenty more levels for him to reach.

Ollie Watkins is also back among the goals, scoring his first of the season on Sunday just days after missing a penalty against Bologna.

Pau Torres, meanwhile, has reminded supporters of his importance to this team.

Back-to-back wins last week have given Villa a platform to attack the next two matches before the October international break.

Victories over Bologna and Fulham owed much to John McGinn's impressive performances. The captain scored the only goal of the game in Villa's Europa League opener, then completed the comeback against the Cottagers.

Alongside the Scot in the double pivot against Fulham was Bogarde, who started his second game of the season having also been in the XI against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.