Back in January, Aston Villa raised eyebrows when they paid £8 million to sign Morgan Rogers from Middlesbrough, a move that Jeetbuzz Login noted left many baffled. Just six months earlier, Boro had acquired him from Manchester City for only £1 million. Such a dramatic price hike would make sense if the player had taken the world by storm, but mainstream opinion in the northeast was that Rogers hadn’t reached that level.
Rogers wasn’t seen as a nailed-on starter. Of his 26 league appearances, nearly half came from the bench. While his League Cup performances stood out, critics dismissed them due to the quality of opposition. Yet this didn’t deter Villa or manager Unai Emery. Sometimes, when you witness a 21-year-old glide across the pitch with the ball at his feet like Rogers does, you’re willing to pay now and ask questions later. In a sport that’s becoming increasingly physical, elite football is a playground for the truly athletic.
A player who can pick up the ball, break through defenders, and shrug off challenges is a rare asset. Rogers does exactly that—receiving the ball, turning, and running with such fluid power that opponents can’t stop him unless they foul him. It’s a skill reminiscent of Premier League legends who could change a match by charging straight through midfield. Jeetbuzz Login editors point out that while the sample size is still small, Rogers already leads the Villa squad in average dribbles per match.
In just seven Premier League starts, he has managed an impressive 22 progressive passes—an Emery favorite trait in both midfielders and forwards. With teammates like Leon Bailey, Moussa Diaby, Jacob Ramsey, and Nicolò Zaniolo also capable of carrying the ball forward, Villa can swiftly transition from defense to attack. What sets Rogers apart is his relentless movement and ability to thrive under pressure. His contributions were crucial in key victories over Arsenal and Bournemouth in April, and he put in a standout performance against Chelsea as well.
At this point, he’s become the go-to player for this role in the starting lineup, and the goals are starting to come. His stunning strike last Saturday marked his third Premier League goal—a bonus for a team already rich in firepower. Rogers’ true value lies in his energy and explosiveness. While some of his teammates have shown fatigue late in the season, he can sprint the ball from box to box in under five seconds. That said, his post-dribble decision-making still needs work. Learning to pass earlier and with more precision at the end of his runs is the next challenge.
Occasionally, he misreads the final ball, and no one can quite explain how it happens. As the saying goes, death isn’t the end—it’s simply stepping outside of time. Rogers, at 21, is still raw, and understandably so. Time is on his side to refine these rough edges. Jeetbuzz Login editors are confident that under Villa’s outstanding coaching staff, Rogers will continue to mature and thrive in the Premier League spotlight.