Max Wilkins

Tue 14 April 2026 18:10, UK

Aston Villa haven’t seen the best version of Morgan Rogers for a while now.

The attacking midfielder started the season and quickly became recognised as one of the best players in the Premier League again.

His rise under Unai Emery is very unique, and he has certainly helped the Villans to establish themselves at the top end of the table.

The 23-year-old has impressed England boss Thomas Tuchel in the process, but hasn’t hit the heights in recent weeks in claret and blue.

Rogers was poor for Villa against Nottingham Forest last time out, and if his poor form continues, he could be kicked out of the World Cup squad ahead of the summer.

Morgan Rogers could dash his World Cup chances with England

There has been very little positive to say about the Englishman in recent weeks, as his lack of goal output represents a true concern.

He has picked up just three Premier League goal involvements since the turn of the year, which obviously isn’t good enough.

That hasn’t looked like changing in claret and blue, and questions have been raised over his attitude at Villa Park.

Former B6 scout Bryan King believes Rogers is believing his own hype too much, and it could scupper his chances of featuring for England at the World Cup.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, King said: “When you’re a professional footballer, and you’ve come up from oblivion from two years ago to now, it’s all moved very quickly for him.

“I think he’s too easily influenced by what he reads in the papers and what he hears.

“Players always have a down period at some point in a season, and they normally fight through that.

“He’s got to do that because, at the moment, he’s putting his World Cup place at jeopardy.

“The only way he’s going to is by working hard and showing he cares.

“It’s very easy to get complacent and believe your own hype, but he’s got to get back to playing football like he was three or four months ago.

“He missed that chance against Forest, didn’t seem to care, and I think that’s just the sort of temperament he’s in at the moment.

“Emery may be prepared to leave him out and shake him up, even if he is one of Villa’s best players.”

Rogers was dreadful against Nottingham Forest last time out, so he is certainly deserving of a shake-up in the West Midlands.

Rogers had a shocker for Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest

The attacking midfielder started at the City Ground, but was eventually taken off after just 78 minutes.

That is a surprise as Emery is typically reluctant to remove him from the pitch due to his potential influence on proceedings.

Rogers racked up just 0.18 expected goals as he missed a near-open goal in the second half that would have won the game for Villa.

That maintained his zero per cent shot accuracy, while he also failed with three of his attempted dribbles and was dispossessed twice.

He also lost out on eight duels as he failed to show Tuchel why he deserves to be starting for England.

That may not represent good news for the Villa man as his World Cup space could now be on the line if his shocking form continues.