Unai Emery has lauded Morgan Rogers as the driving force behind Aston Villa's impressive form, which has propelled them into Premier League title contention. The 23-year-old's stellar performances have been instrumental in Villa's surge, with Emery highlighting his versatility, commitment, and recent goal-scoring exploits.
Rogers joined Aston Villa in February 2024 from Middlesbrough, and has become a key player in Emery's squad. His ability to play in multiple attacking positions has been a major asset, and he quickly impressed with his performances, scoring his first goal for the club against Brentford in April 2024.
After failing to win any of their opening six games of the season, Villa have won 15 of their past 17 in all competitions, including 10 of 11 in the Premier League. This impressive run has seen them move into third place in the league standings, just three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Emery's arrival over three years ago has transformed Aston Villa, turning them from "sleeping giants" into genuine title contenders. After a 13-year absence from European competition, Emery has led the Villains into continental tournaments for the past three seasons.
Rogers' contribution has been particularly noteworthy. His outstanding 2024/25 season resulted in a maiden call-up to the England senior squad in November 2024, where he debuted against Greece. He was rewarded with a new contract extending until 2030. That season, he made 54 appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing 14 assists, including a hat-trick in a Champions League triumph over Celtic.
His stellar performances led to nominations for the Premier League's Young Player of the Season and the PFA Young Player of the Season awards. He was also named Villa's Young Player of the Season.
Emery emphasized Rogers' importance to the team, even when he isn't scoring. He noted Rogers' tactical awareness, versatility, and consistent performance levels. Emery believes Rogers' recent brilliance stems from a "hungry and angry" desire to score goals and contribute to the team's success.
Rogers' journey to the top has not been without its challenges. He had loan spells at Lincoln City, AFC Bournemouth and Blackpool. Despite these setbacks, he impressed enough at Middlesbrough to earn a move to Aston Villa.
Looking ahead, Aston Villa faces tough trips to Chelsea and Arsenal to close out 2025, where Rogers is expected to play a key role. Emery acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains confident in his team's ability to compete at the highest level. While cautious about labeling Villa as title contenders, Emery admits that dreaming of winning the title is natural, but emphasizes the need for consistency, high standards, and humility.
