Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Thu 2 April 2026 7:10, UK

Morgan Rogers is stuck in a rut at the worst possible time for Aston Villa and England.

Rogers played the full 90 minutes in the Three Lions’ dismal 1-0 defeat by Japan on Tuesday, their final friendly before Thomas Tuchel officially selects his World Cup squad.

While the 23-year-old is almost certain to be on the plane this summer, there will be major concerns over his recent form, with his off-colour displays sounding the alarm bells.

Villa are on the home stretch in their bid to qualify for the Champions League and badly need Rogers’ magic, while Tuchel’s side currently looks worryingly short of attacking prowess.

Rogers’ Villa Park future is unclear, and his drought hasn’t quietened the rumours.

Morgan Rogers poor in England vs Japan

Rogers has insisted that England will “be ready” for the World Cup this summer, but he would do well to reflect on his own individual performances, which are lacking his usual spark.

Simply, the playmaker looks to have hit a wall. He has not registered a goal involvement in his past nine matches for club and country and delivered a blunt showing against Japan.

He has scored 10 goals and notched seven assists in all competitions this season – an impressive return – but there is no hiding away from the fact that the well has run dry.

Worryingly, he does not appear to have the answers either. Rogers remains one of the continent’s most elite attacking midfielders but looks short of ideas.

That was demonstrated for the Three Lions on Tuesday. Despite his 87 per cent pass accuracy and 57 touches, he lost possession 11 times and wasted his chances.

The media were not impressed with Rogers’ efforts at Wembley Stadium, pointing out that he had often drifted out wide and failed to stamp his authority on the friendly.

His lashing over from a volley late on encapsulated a poor night at the office.

Rogers slump will worry Aston Villa

Despite his heroics in B6, Villa should actually weigh up selling Rogers in the summer.

As outlandish as the claim first appears on paper, the talisman is huffing and puffing around the penalty area, shorn of end product, but elite clubs are still known to be circling.

He remains tied down at Villa Park to a contract running until 2031, and both Manchester United and Tottenham have been tipped to swoop. Chelsea are also in the race.

Offloading Rogers for anything close to Villa’s rumoured £100m price tag would allow them to finance a sweeping rebuild, leaving Unai Emery with a big decision to make.

But if Rogers’ downturn in form continues over the coming weeks, that valuation will have to come down. Either way, it is in Villa’s best interest to get him back to his best – and soon.