Aston Villa must qualify for the Champions League this season, or risk losing both Unai Emery and Morgan Rogers.That is the view of talkSPORT’s Alex Crook and Gabby Agbonlahor, who have warned a lack of recruitment in January could cost Villa their manager and star player.Unai Emery’s side are at risk of missing out on Champions League footballGettyEmery’s side were dealt a blow to their Champions League qualification hopes on Sunday, as they were beaten 3-1 by Manchester United.Defeat to United saw Villa fall three points behind third-placed their rivals in the race for a top-five finish. It was the latest in a string of disappointing results for Villa, who have now lost their last three league games, and are winless in five.They have won just three of their last 12 Premier League matches, and the poor run of form has sparked fears they could miss out on a top-four place for the second year running.Crook: I feel for EmeryLast season, Villa missed out on a Champions League place after a final-day defeat to Man United, and they have seen their hold on a top-five spot weaken in recent weeks.Having been in the title race at the turn of the year, they now sit fourth, and are just three points clear of Chelsea in sixth.talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook believes a lack of investment in the winter transfer window could come back to bite the Villans, with Tammy Abraham their only high-profile permanent arrival.Discussing Villa’s recent woes with former forward Agbonlahor, Crook compared their latest January window with last year’s.Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, he said: “I feel a little bit for Unai Emery, because obviously this time last year in the January window, you brought in the likes of Marcus Rashford and Marcus Asensio. “You really went for it to try and get that Champions League place – obviously it didn’t work out.Villa have scored just seven goals in their last nine games, as their form has continued to dipGettyAbraham joined the Villans from Roma in January in a deal worth £18millionGetty“This year, I’ve got to say I was underwhelmed by what you did. “Douglas Luiz [who joined on loan] – I know he knows the football club but Nottingham Forest didn’t want him, Juventus didn’t want him.“You’ve got to ask why [they signed] Tammy Abraham – playing in Turkey, again not the type of signing I think that inspired me.”‘He’ll be gone’With Crook criticising the transfer strategy at Villa Park, he warned that a disappointing end to the season could force manager Emery to consider his future at the club.Since taking charge at Villa Park in 2022, the Spaniard has never finished lower than seventh, as well as making the top four twice.This has earned him huge praise, and has seen him linked with a number of big name jobs, including the Man United vacancy on more than one occasion.Unai Emery cut a frustrated figure on the touchline at Old TraffordGettyDiscussing the situation at Villa, Crook continued: “I do think Unai Emery’s hands are tied behind his back to a certain extent and you wonder come the end of the season [if he’ll leave].”Agbonlahor was in no doubt over this, who quickly chimed in: “He’ll be gone mate.”Double trouble?Emery wasn’t the only key figure whose future was thrown into doubt by Crook and Agbonlahor.Crook warned that Morgan Rogers may be tempted to look for Champions League football elsewhere should his team fail to qualify themselves.Rogers penned a new six-year deal at Villa Park in November, which appeared to rule out an exit anytime soon, with the playmaker previously being on the radar of rival clubs – namely Chelsea and Tottenham last summer.But after discussing Emery’s future, Crook told Agbonlahor: “If you don’t get Champions League football, not just him. With eight goals and five assists in the Premier League, Rogers has been Villa’s standout performer this season,Getty“I know Morgan Rogers has signed this new contract. I am digging around to try and find out if there is some kind of release clause in that contract, because he will have suitors at other clubs.”Agbonlahor was quick to agree, and highlighted just how important keeping Emery and Rogers will be for Villa’s long-term goals.Responding to Crook, the ex-Villa man said: “[I agree] 100%, and you know Morgan Rogers is going to have a fantastic World Cup as well. “If Aston Villa somehow don’t get Champions League football, I think the manager goes, Morgan Rodgers is sold and Aston Villa could end up a mid-table club, like Fulham. “I really do think it’s that important. If they do get Champions League football and the manager stays, the next four or five years will look so good for Aston Villa. “That’s how important it is.”