Morgan Rogers sparks Aston Villa pride as teammates laud 'dream' World Cup message

Morgan Rogers has been feeling the love from his Aston Villa teammates after making his England World Cup debut against Croatia.

The 23-year-old has been at the centre of a raging debate between fans and pundits alike over whether he should be starting for England at the tournament.

After scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists for Aston Villa in 55 games last season, he's certainly got a strong case.

However, Rogers would have to settle with his 15th senior England cap coming via the bench against Croatia on Wednesday night.

Thomas Tuchel opted to start Jude Bellingham in the number 10 role, and that was justified after his excellent 47th-minute goal helped the Three Lions to a 4-2 victory.

But, with 72 minutes on the clock and the game still in the balance, Tuchel called Rogers' number to help the team see home a vital opening group stage win.

What did Morgan Rogers say after England World Cup debut?

Representing your nation at the World Cup is the pinnacle for the majority of players.

Winning it cements each and every player from that squad, regardless of how many minutes they've played, as legends for eternity.

That's what this England group are trying to achieve in North America this summer, and Rogers could have a big say in helping football come home if that's to be the Three Lions' destiny.

For now though, it's one step and game at a time, and taking to his Instagram account after the win over Croatia, Rogers is clearly savouring the moment.

"World Cup debut. Dreams do come true," he wrote, to which a number of his Aston Villa comrades responded to.

Ollie Watkins foretold of greater things for Rogers in this tournament, saying: "More to come," with a clapping hands emoji.

Meanwhile, another of his fellow England and Villa teammates Ezri Konsa simply responded by sending a love heart emoji to the attacking midfielder.

Matty Cash summed Rogers up in one word by saying: "Top", whilst Leon Bailey wrote: "Dat is it!" which was accompanied by fire and love heart emojis too.

Rogers rose to Bellingham challenge vs Croatia

Indeed, for a brief few minutes after Rogers came on for England in the second half, both he and Bellingham shared the pitch in Dallas.

The Real Madrid star was eventually withdrawn on 79 minutes, leaving the in-demand Villa man to really show Tuchel why he deserves to be in the team from the off.

That's precisely what he did too, as his 20-minute cameo was eye-catching to say the least, as he snapped into challenges and helped England to their fourth goal of the night.

Bukayo Saka played the ball to Rogers down the right before he then gave it back to the Arsenal man, who in turn found Marcus Rashford in space before the ex-Villa forward coolly netted to make it 4-2 on 85 minutes.

As per FotMob, Rogers created two chances, completed five of his seven pass attempts accurately and played one pass into the final third.

He also made two recoveries, won one tackle, two of his three ground duels and his lone aerial duel, as well as winning one foul respectively.

With England now on the verge of qualification for the knockout stages already, perhaps Tuchel will hand increased minutes to Rogers over the final two group stage games.

Those are against Ghana on Tuesday 23 June at 9pm UK time, before the Three Lions play Panama on Saturday 27 June at 10pm UK time respectively.