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Football Insider

Morgan Rogers Shines for Villa Amidst Competition for England: A Closer Look at His Rise

Morgan Rogers continues to impress as he secures victories for Aston Villa in the Premier League, all while facing tough competition for his place in the England squad. His recent standout performances have sparked conversations about his potential to maintain his spot among a star-studded group of players.

Morgan Rogers Shines for Villa Amidst Competition for England: A Closer Look at His Rise

Morgan Rogers has insisted he is doing all he can to keep his England place, with Thomas Tuchel's squad boasting a 'heap of quality'. The attacking midfielder continued his fine 2025-26 season on Sunday with a superb match-winning brace in Aston Villa's 2-1 triumph at home to Manchester United, taking his tally of Premier League goals to seven for the campaign.Rogers faced fierce criticism earlier this season after Villa made a slow start to the season, beginning the Premier League campaign on a run of five matches without a win. The 23-year-old was ironically cheered by Villa fans when making completed passes during a 1-0 Europa League victory against Bologna, such was the perceived sloppiness of his early performances.The picture now is very different. Unai Emery's side have now won ten matches in a row, and Rogers' brace on Sunday was his second in as many weeks having scored twice in last week's 3-2 triumph at West Ham.During the September, October and November internationals, England boss Tuchel gave Rogers the nod in the No.10 role, picking him ahead of the likes of Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Manchester City's Phil Foden. The German's decision was not met with unanimous positivity and doubts remain over whether Rogers can keep such star-studded names out of the Three Lions' starting XI, but the Villa man claims he is relishing the competition for places.Speaking to BBC Sport after Villa's win against United, Rogers said of the battle to start for England: "I just focus on myself and try to improve. Find my form, find my best level every game and see where that takes me. There's a whole heap of quality out there and I'm just trying to compete. I'm just giving my all.""I play football to try and fulfil my potential and be the best version of myself as possible. I try my hardest, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't, but I keep working hard and wherever it takes me, it takes me," he added to Sky Sports.Rogers was also quizzed on how he and his Villa team-mates managed to put a dreadful start to the season behind them to climb to third in the Premier League table, sitting only three points behind Arsenal heading into Christmas. "Just sticking true to us," he replied. "That is the most important thing. We did what we always do. Nothing changed but we just worked that little bit harder, honed the details a little bit more, and gave that little bit more as a team. We stick together as a unit and there's no surprise that you see it in the results."Despite sitting in the top three, Rogers claims Villa aren't dreaming of the title just yet. "You make those conversations, not us. We're firmly focused on the task at hand and handling it each game," he said.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingRogers will have to wait until March to put on an England shirt again, with the Three Lions set to host Uruguay and Japan in a pair of friendlies. In the meantime, he will be focusing on continuing Villa's incredible run of form which has propelled them into Premier League title contention. Emery's side face two tough tests over the festive period, travelling to Chelsea and Arsenal to see out 2025. They will then kick off the new year at home to Nottingham Forest and away at Crystal Palace.

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Defying Early Criticism

Morgan Rogers has defied early criticism and skepticism to become a key player for Aston Villa. Despite initially struggling along with his team during the start of the season, he has turned his performances around dramatically.

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Rogers' International Journey

Having earned a place in England's squad, Rogers has showcased his skill and determination to compete for a starting position amidst strong competition from players like Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer. His focus on personal improvement and dedication to fulfilling his potential have been evident in his game.

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Villa's Resurgence

Aston Villa's impressive winning streak, led by standout performances from Rogers, has seen them climb up the Premier League table. The team's unity, hard work, and attention to detail have been crucial in their success so far this season.

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Looking Ahead

Despite their recent success, Rogers remains grounded and focused on the present rather than getting carried away with title aspirations. With tough fixtures on the horizon, including matches against Chelsea and Arsenal, he is determined to maintain Villa's momentum.

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Future Prospects

As Rogers anticipates the upcoming international friendlies with England, he is eager to continue impressing and solidifying his place in the squad. His dedication to improvement and competitive spirit bode well for both his club and country as he looks to make a lasting impact.

Published on Dec 21, 2025