‘He’s going to find you’ – Double scorer Malen on connection with Rogers
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Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers spoke to TNT Sports about taking inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo, UEFA Champions League nights, and his friendship with Jude Bellingham.
A breakout 2024/25 season put Rogers firmly in the conversation for the Premier League’s most exciting attacking talents.
Rogers may have lacked spark as Villa started this season slowly, but the 23-year-old has rekindled his form recently and is shining once again.
One of the most unique aspects of Rogers’ game is his dribbling ability and fearlessness when taking players on, regardless of where it happens on the pitch.
It is a facet that makes sense once you realise the extent to which Rogers idolised Portugal icon Ronaldo, especially the dynamic and spirited version that broke through at Manchester United in the 2000s.
“When I first had eyes on him at Man United, how raw he was, the skills. The Prem had never seen anything like it. It was just one of a kind,” Rogers said on TNT Sports’ Kenny Allstar’s Number 1s.
He continued: “The confidence to keep going. I know he got kicked, he got abused, but he kept going and kept doing it.
“That’s the fun of being an attacker, the fear of knowing you’re gonna get kicked, but knowing that it’s worth it in the end.”
Both Rogers and Villa had slow starts to this season’s Premier League campaign, and, before his double against Leeds United at Elland Road, he had only scored once in 11 matches.
His uptick in form has coincided with an improvement in results for Unai Emery’s side, and Villa have won all but one of their last nine league games, climbing to third in the table.
VIlla are also third in the UEFA Europa League table and primed to cruise through to the knockout phase.
Highlights: Rogers treble drives Villa past Celtic and into last 16
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After making it to the quarter-finals in last year’s Champions League and scoring in a losing effort to Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital, Rogers will be desperate to return to the iconic European competition.
“It’s so crazy because when you’re a kid, you sing it,” Rogers said as he reflected on his first Champions League experience last season.
“When you’re watching the game on TV, when you’re playing in the park or at school, you play the anthem as a joke.”
Rogers appeared for Villa in the UEFA Conference League the season prior, but witnessed the unparralled atmosphere of a Champions League game when Villa opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Young Boys.
It was the club’s first fixture in a top-tier European competition since the 1982/83 European Cup, and Rogers would not have to wait long for his first goal when he scored against Bologna in their third match.
“And it’s like, I’m really in this. This is me. That moment walking out and hearing the noise, the badge on your shirt when you walk out, every little thing, nothing beats it,” said Rogers.
“That and the World Cup are two things in life where it’s like, wow, this is surreal. It’s a moment I’ll always treasure.”
Rogers strikes to spark delirium amongst Aston Villa fans – including HRH Prince William
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Digging back even further, Rogers spoke about his long-time friendship with fellow England midfielder Jude Bellingham.
The pair are both competiting for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad ahead of next summer, but any rivalrly between the two is purely on the pitch.
After Rogers made his England debut in a 3-0 away win to Greece in late 2024, Bellingham posted images of them playing for England’s junior sides, and said: “Congrats brother. Come a long way.”
Rogers said: “It’s super cool man. Knowing each other for that long, being not far from each other. Families knowing each other and playing each other through age groups when he was at Birmingham.
“It’s just super cool that we’re playing together at England.
“It’s a really nice moment, a really nice feeling with him at camps, knowing the path we came on and everything he’s achieved.
“We’ve been on the journey for the good and the bad. He’s just such a good guy.”
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