Rogers’ Resurgence and Villa’s Ambitions: A Season in Review

Morgan Rogers, much like Aston Villa’s sluggish start to the season, initially appeared to be struggling, displaying a lack of energy and inspiration reminiscent of a shadow of his previous self. In late August, he hinted at a potential departure from Villa, despite expressing his happiness at the club.

He stated, “I’m happy here at Aston Villa. I love football and enjoy nothing more than stepping onto the pitch to play. That’s my focus. I’m not concerned about what the future holds. My priority is to play football, enjoy it, and demonstrate my abilities.”

Recently, however, the England international has demonstrated a resurgence in form for both club and country. According to reports from The Athletic, he is set to sign a new contract extending until 2031, elevating him to one of Villa’s highest earners.

Although Rogers experienced a rocky start to the current season, England’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, has shown unwavering support for him, even going so far as to prefer him over Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.

Following England’s 3-0 victory over Wales last month, Tuchel praised Rogers, saying, “Morgan was exceptional, just like the entire team. He embodies humility and physicality, with the capability to score and assist. He had a fantastic season in 2024-25 and was rightly voted the Premier League’s young player of the season. While Morgan was a vital part of the team, it was a collective effort.”

Tuchel continued, “Morgan is a true number 10, and he is competing for his place. He is on the right path. We are prepared for any team effort. The recent match against Serbia showcased our teamwork, creating numerous chances. While we could utilize Harry Kane all the time, we must adapt without him and Jude, who are currently injured.”

Rogers, who is reportedly attracting interest from top clubs in the Premier League and abroad, has been challenged by Villa manager Unai Emery to elevate his game further. So far this season, he has recorded one goal and three assists in 15 appearances, a notable decline compared to his 30 goal contributions last term.

Emery remarked in October, “Each player relies on the team. They require structure and confidence to excel individually. Morgan Rogers is improving alongside the team, feeling more comfortable and confident in showcasing his skills. His goals, assists, movement, and ability to outmaneuver opponents are developing alongside the team’s progress. We must support all our players in realizing their potential as we aim for improvement and strive to surpass last season’s numbers.”

Similar to Rogers, Aston Villa has made a recovery from their poor start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, yet they currently sit in 11th place. Their upcoming match is against a strong Bournemouth side at Villa Park on Sunday, just before the international break. Following this, Rogers may represent England in their final two World Cup qualifying matches against Serbia and Albania on November 13 and 16, respectively.