Aston Villa: Is Morgan Rogers the real deal?
22-year-old Morgan Rogers has slipped seamlessly into Aston Villa’s starting line-up since joining in January of this year. The attacking midfielder has come from a background of football pedigree, but is he a key component in keeping Villa at the top of English football?
Rogers began his career across Birmingham with West Bromwich Albion, before becoming another talent scooped up to join Manchester City’s youth set up. From this, he would first show his talents on loan at Lincoln City, helping the club to a League One Play-off Final, and playing key part in their season.
Two loan spells later, Middlesbrough were the side to spend the money and bring him in permanently. Predictably, Rogers continued to excel, and after six months, he was starting games in the Premier League, after a £15 million move back to the midlands.
Rogers began his footballing life as winger, but it was under Michael Carrick in the northeast, where the Birmingham-native transitioned to playing a midfield role. Mostly being used in-behind the striker, he can also play on either side of the attacking side of midfield, and it is this versatility, alongside his composure and quality, that really drew in Villa boss Unai Emery.
At Villa, whilst statistics such as goals and assists haven’t appeared in his game as yet, he has transitioned to top-level football with ease. Rogers made 11 Premier League appearances in the second half of last season, and has started every league game this season, further cementing himself as one of Emery’s staples.
Rogers is a player that the new age statistic lovers won’t be that fond of yet, as it stands, he’s yet to blow up those columns, but as for performances, Rogers continues to grow with each game. As a ball carrier, the 22-year-old is second to none, being integral in the way Villa gets the ball forward, and his passing range has continued to grow week in week out.
Going forward, the midfielder has made 1.8 shots and key passes per 90, whilst also completing at least 2 dribbles per 90, it is no wonder why Emery prioritised this deal last January.
Match of the Day’s Gary Lineker was one to heap praise on the player after his performance against Wolves on his podcast The Rest is Football:
"I'll tell you who was good again, Morgan Rogers. I mean, he was really, really good, and he was probably the one that turned it round more than anyone else."
Rogers has started this season like a house on fire, fitting into this continually impressive Villa side like a glove. Rogers comes with the highest football pedigree and has been in the England set up since he was 15. It feels like it’s been a long time coming when you look at the facts, but he looks set to be at the top, be that for Villa or the higher powers in football.
