Morgan Rogers is, arguably, in the best form of any Premier League player at the moment.
But only three months ago, Rogers endured the toughest period of his young career so far.
After failing to record a goal or assist in his first six league games, a Europa League game against Bologna would’ve be seen as an opportunity to reset and get back on track.
In what was their first victory of the season, Villa won the match 1-0 through a John McGinn goal.
But for Rogers, his teams’ win aside, the night couldn’t have gone much worse.
Despite lasting the whole 90 minutes, he completed only 10 passes and lost the ball 29 times.
One of his completed passes late in the game was even sarcastically cheered by his own fans at Villa Park.
That night is now a distant memory for the 23 year-old.
His performance on Sunday vs. Manchester United proved he is a difference-maker at the top level.
In a game which Villa were the favourites in, both teams had chances to score in the first 45 minutes, but lacked the cutting edge required to find the net.
John McGinn went closest for the Villans, but fired too close to Senne Lammens in goal.
Benjamin Sesko missed a great opportunity for the away side, failing to convert after being played through on goal.
In an intense game lacking end product, it called out for a moment of brilliance to open the scoring.
Rogers provided that.
In added time, he chased onto a ball played by McGinn, a difficult one to initially control.
Keeping the ball in play, he faced up against Reds’ centre-back Lenny Yoro.
Uncomfortable in being forced out wide, Yoro was hesitant in facing Rogers one-on-one.
The Villa attacker, oozing with confidence, dribbled toward the penalty area.
He burst past Yoro before taking one look up at the goal and finishing superbly into the top-right corner.
It was another entry into the goal of the season competition Rogers is seemingly having with himself.
The game was back in the balance before long, with Matheus Cunha capitalising on Matty Cash’s mistake, leaving the game at 1-1 at half-time.
Another Rogers is what was needed – and it’s exactly what came.
In the 57th minute, a failed Ayden Heaven clearance fell to Rogers just inside the box.
He took one touch before striking and finding the net again.
Simply, Villa’s man of the moment is in sublime goalscoring form.
This eye for goal hasn’t always come natural to him, though.
Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic’s correspondent for Aston Villa, gave an insight on Rogers’ recent shooting improvement.
“After the Bologna game, Rogers admitted his decision making was poor and he needed to start shooting more.
“He’s been practicing it more with coaches and teammates.”
It is evident when observing statistics that his mindset has changed in this area of his game.
He’s shooting from an average of 18.2 yards out this season, further than ever before in his career.
In the first seven games of the season, including the Bologna game, he was only averaging one shot per match.
Since then, Rogers has almost doubled his volume of shots, now averaging 1.94 per game.
Tanswell said: “He’d get into positions and try thread a pass, or try and shoot with the inside of his foot.
“In short – he’s shooting with hit laces more.
“Like we saw against West Ham, his shots are more powerful and have more swerve.”
Shooting from range isn’t one of his skills you’d have previously associated Rogers with.
He stands at 6’ 2”, uniquely tall for an attacking midfielder.
His size allows him to hold off defenders with ease, useful when driving into space by evading challenges.
You just have to cast your mind to August 2024, where Rogers dominated Arsenal midfield duo Declan Rice and Thomas Partey.
They two players are known for being physical specimens – but even they couldn’t stop the Villa man from charging toward the penalty area, time and time again.
He possesses many other qualities that impresses his manager, Unai Emery.
Speaking after the West Ham game, where Rogers scored two goals in a 3-2 win, Emery said: “Tactically, he is playing in different positions, defensively, offensively, and of course now he is scoring goals, he has been brilliant!
“Physically, he is strong, and his mentality is huge.
“He has always done his work with huge commitment.”
Emery spearheaded Villa’s 2024 January move for Rogers.
It was a fairly surprising transfer at the time, costing Villa a reported £8 million plus add-ons from Championship club Middlesbrough, who he only joined six months prior.
In his 61 total career Championship appearances, Rogers only scored four goals and got seven assists, a record which led many to question the interest from a Premier League outlet.
Tanswell said: “Emery spotted a player who could be refined.
“Villa academy manager Mark Harrison and head of talent identification Steve Hopcroft, who first identified Rogers and coached him at West Brom, had helped Emery build extensive background knowledge.
“Harrison and Hopcroft regarded Rogers as the most talented academy player they had worked with, capable in playing in any of the front six positions and eventually being sold for a club-record figure to Manchester City in 2019.”
Amid the Villans pursuit of Rogers last January, they faced Middlesbrough in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.
Tanswell said: “Villa players knew of Emery’s fondness for Rogers before the FA Cup trip.
“He reaffirmed Rogers’ threat in analysis sessions, with a lot of the preparation, from a defensive standpoint, centred on him.
“After the game, Villa quickly informed Rogers’ camp and Middlesbrough of their interest.”
The signing has proven to be a major coup for the club.
Emery’s development of the youngster hasn’t just benefitted Aston Villa, though – with his international manager, Thomas Tuchel, watching Rogers’ progress with keen eyes.
England’s number 10 role is emerging as one of, if not the most, competitive positions in world football.
Rogers’ main opposition for the role will likely be fellow Midlands man Jude Bellingham.
You’d have been laughed at a couple years ago for suggesting Bellingham wouldn’t be a nailed-on starter for England in the World Cup.
The Real Madrid man was key in the team’s run to the Euro 2024 final, scoring twice, including a spectacular stoppage-time overhead kick vs. Slovakia to prevent Gareth Southgate’s men from being knocked out in the round of 16.
But with Rogers’ emergence, Bellingham’s inclusion isn’t a given anymore.
Sky Sports reporter, David Reed said:
“Tuchel likes Rogers’ overall consistency in all facets of the game.
“Since moving to Aston Villa, he has gone from a Championship player to a Champions League player and, in doing so, he has shown that he is malleable to the coaching and detail driven methods of Unai Emery.
“He’s also proven to be an excellent partner to Harry Kane. He’s shown a willingness to run in behind and, out of possession, is comfortable leading England’s press.”
Rogers’ physical fitness is well-suited to a month-long tournament, where important games will be played in quick succession.
He has played more minutes than any other Villa player in the Premier League this season, proving he can endure multiple matches in a short time frame.
Even when ahead in matches, it’s not very often you’ll see Emery substitute Rogers off, as he’s seen as a useful player to have on the pitch in any scenario.
As much as physical and technical attributes are hugely important, so is a player’s mentality.
Bellingham’s hunger has driven him to European success at such a young age.
It’s a trait that Rogers will have to continue to match if he wishes to continue ousting him out of Tuchel’s starting squad.
With both being of a similar age and growing up in Birmingham, they have a good relationship off the pitch.
Conversing with each other on a regular basis, it’s hard to imagine the ‘who will start’ media debacle hasn’t come up in conversation yet.
Reed said: “Bellingham and Rogers are great friends, Villa fans will hope the friendly competition between the two will drive Rogers to new heights!”
There are still plenty of opportunities for the two to strengthen their arguments, with six months of club football still to be played before Tuchel’s World Cup squad selection.
There are also four more international friendly matches to be played, two on home soil in March against Uruguay and Japan respectively, and two against yet-to-be-announced opponents in the weeks leading up to their tournament opener vs. Croatia.
