Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Wed 3 June 2026 14:45, UK

Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is attracting interest across England as a result of his impressive campaign.

The attacking midfielder has continued to shift through the gears since his 2024 move from Middlesbrough.

Scoring 13 times and registering 11 assists across all competitions this term, the 23-year-old proved talismanic at times.

Naturally, an England international of his quality is always going to attract attention, with Premier League champions Arsenal interested.

Fans may remember a similar instance with Jack Grealish in 2021, though the current scenario with Rogers could not be more different.

Jack Grealish differences as Arsenal eye Morgan Rogers deal

Dropping down to the Championship with Villa in 2016, Grealish would hone his craft and become a star at Villa Park.

Adapting to the Premier League seamlessly, the local boy carried Dean Smith’s side on his back for several years.

As a result, he would earn a £100million move to Manchester City in the summer of 2021, where he would go on to win trophy after trophy.

Naturally, comparisons would be made with Rogers, with the current Premier League champions Arsenal eyeing a deal at a similar fee of around £80m. 

Aside from being a local lad, the similarities stop there.

For years, Grealish carried the side on his back, with the worrying prospect of what would happen to the Villans following his departure.

Rogers, on the other hand, joined a more-than-functional system and, despite being a big part of it, will leave a fully functional system under Unai Emery.

Halesowen-born Rogers possesses a wand of a right foot and the physical attributes to match, but Villa coped without him before, and will still be able to cope after.

Naturally, fans will want him to stay and become an icon at Villa Park – something he is more than capable of doing.

But it might not be the same gut-wrenching feeling felt upon Grealish’s 2021 departure. 

How would Aston Villa cope with Morgan Rogers exit? 

As disappointing as it is, it unfortunately has to be acknowledged that some sides in the division can operate as talent hoovers. In contrast, the likes of Villa have to tread carefully under the financial regulations.

As a result, there will be behind-the-scenes conversations about what would happen following a sale.

After a series of disappointing transfer windows, the Villans would need to get the recruitment right – spot on, in fact, if they wish to continue in the upper echelons of the league.

But it must be acknowledged that the fee Rogers would command could be transformative in terms of the squad-wide benefits it brings.

Using largely the same squad since his 2022 arrival, Emery needs a refresh as his side prepares for a Champions League return.

The goal is for Rogers to be at the centre of this. If that isn’t possible, it could be the factor that enables this reset, setting the B6 outfit up for years to come.