From League One to Champions League history - Rogers' rapid rise

Morgan Rogers just keeps making headlines.

On Wednesday, the 22-year-old Englishman scored the first hat-trick of his career as Aston Villa beat Celtic 4-2, a win that secured an automatic place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Not only that, Rogers became the first player in history to score twice in the opening five minutes of a Champions League match.

"He was a joy to watch," former Villa and Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov said on TNT Sports. "He looked like a mature player and looked like he is going to be a star."

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Chris Sutton said: "He was unplayable at times."

Rogers has come a long way in a short space of time: at the beginning of the 2023-24 season he started 12 consecutive Championship games on Middlesbrough's bench.

After helping Villa beat Bayern Munich in October in their first Champions League match for 42 years, Football Focus caught up with Rogers to discuss his meteoric rise.

A journeyman by 22?

At 22 years old, Rogers has already represented seven clubs.

After joining West Brom aged nine and making his senior debut at 16, Rogers' talent attracted the interest of Manchester City.

Loan spells followed with Lincoln City in League One, then Bournemouth and Blackpool in the Championship, which Rogers believes helped shape him as a player.

"It is challenging but something I wanted to do. I wanted to play and I would make the same decisions again," Rogers told Football Focus.

"It was about getting games under my belt. [They] are all experiences to take, I wouldn't be the person I am now if I hadn't had those experiences."

'I couldn't say no'

Morgan Rogers has been a near ever-present for Aston Villa this season

Rogers joined Middlesbrough in a £1.5m deal in July 2023 and had a mixed start to the season. Eyebrows were raised when Aston Villa paid £8m plus add-ons for him just seven months later.

"It was pretty easy when I found out the team who wanted me," said Rogers.

"It was tough leaving Middlesbrough because it was a fresh start. I felt close to the team and coaches, but when a team like Villa comes in it is impossible to say no. Being a lad from Birmingham it was the perfect reality. I couldn't say no."

After helping Villa finish fourth last season, Rogers has since started 30 of their 31 games in the Premier League and Champions League.

"I have always had that belief and wanted to get to the highest level of football," he said.

"[Playing in the] Champions League - it is crazy. The feeling doesn't wear off. To be a part of that is something I didn't expect to happen so quickly.

"It is mad and surreal to feel I am playing against that level and calibre of player. It's cool and exciting. I love football so much, so stuff like that still excites me."

Rogers described beating Bayern Munich as "surreal," but his hat-trick against Celtic has surpassed it as the moment of his career.

"[It's] definitely the highlight of my career so far," he told Uefa after the game. "It's a crazy experience and a crazy game to be a part of."

'Different to any other manager'

Unai Emery guiding Villa to a place in the top four was the story of last season, but to Rogers it was no surprise.

"The manager is so intense. He is next level in terms of little things normal people wouldn't see," said Rogers.

"You see the correlation down the line and why he honed in on it. He does it 100 times per week - you are never surprised. He is so demanding and so high level - he brings out the best in you. I have improved with him massively.

"The confidence and belief he has given me is massive. Giving that trust and belief means a lot - but he is still pushing me as well.

"He wants me to drive with the ball, being brave to do it and he allows me to do it. Now it is about decision-making, little details and what I can keep adding. Use your body, use your strength.

"I love the game and someone like that who also loves the game works so well for me. He finds a way to improve players as well as having that drive to win games, and that is probably how he is different to any other manager."

England 'dream' could become reality

After growing up idolising the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Neymar, Rogers is gracing the same stages they did. But he isn't done yet.

After earning England Under-21 honours, in November he stepped up to the senior national team for the first time, earning caps off the bench against Greece and the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.

A World Cup qualifying campaign now awaits England, with a new manager in Thomas Tuchel in place.

"Playing at major tournaments for your country is the dream," Rogers said, prior to his maiden England senior call-up.

Rogers will be eager to keep his place, while recognising the "world-class players" also vying for selection.

"I'm not going to be hurt if I don't get selected. It's an ambition for me, but hopefully I can keep knocking on the door," he said.

"There is nothing better than seeing players you have grown up with do so well. It is so refreshing to see and shows the pathway does mean something from the England youth."

A previous version of this article was published on 8 November, 2024.