Article body analysed

Morgan Rogers has scored one goal and provided two assists in the Premier League this season When interim manager Lee Carsley announces his next England squad on Thursday, there will be plenty of Aston Villa supporters looking out for the name of Morgan Rogers on the list. The 22-year-old began 2024 playing in the Championship for Middlesbrough but, in a whirlwind nine months, he has become a mainstay of the Villa side that is competing in the Champions League and is once more stationed near the top of the Premier League table. "That's how quickly football can change, " Rogers said in an interview with The Guardian in August. , external "It is mad to know where I've got to in a short space of time but that is also what motivates me to think: 'Where can I be in another year or three years? ' I don't just want to stop here. " Rogers has impressed many observers in the early weeks of this season, scoring twice for England Under-21s in the most recent international break and netting his first club goal of the campaign in Villa's 2-2 draw at Ipswich on Sunday. Is a first senior international call-up set to follow? In what has been a fine start to the season for Aston Villa - Unai Emery's side have taken 13 points from their first six Premier League matches - Rogers' performances have been a major positive. Playing in a central position behind the main forward, Rogers' understanding with striker Ollie Watkins is developing week by week. Rogers set up Watkins for Villa's equaliser against Wolves on 21 September and also provided a tap-in for Jhon Duran to wrap up a 3-1 win. Against Ipswich, Rogers calmly collected from Jacob Greaves' poor clearance, swapped passes with Watkins and fired into the bottom corner to score his first Premier League goal of the season. However, for those unsure or unaware of Rogers' ability at the top level, it was his display in Villa's 2-0 defeat by Arsenal on 24 August which perhaps did most to bring his talents to wider attention. Rogers drew praise for his performance in Villa's 2-0 loss to Arsenal in August Speaking after that game, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said Rogers was "the outstanding midfield player by a long way" and compared his powerful running to that of a New Zealand rugby union legend. "Not many players of his size possess that amount of skill, pace and power and it's so difficult to stop, " said ex-Liverpool and England midfielder Redknapp. "He was unplayable. Sometimes when he picked the ball up and was brushing people away, it was like watching Jonah Lomu in his prime. He was that powerful. "Lee Carsley will have to be looking at him, surely. I'm not saying he's going to get into the England team all of a sudden, but there were so many parts of his game which were a joy to watch. "Jude Bellingham is our standout number 10 but there are parts of what Bellingham does that we all admire that Rogers was doing. "Bellingham's goals are such an important factor of his game and that is what Rogers is going to have to add. " Rogers scored twice for England Under-21s in a 4-1 win over Austria in September Carsley chose not to include Rogers in his squad for September's Nations League games against Republic of Ireland and Finland. Instead he was selected for the Under-21 side, a decision which "surprised" Villa boss Unai Emery, , external who said Rogers was "not a player for the second team". Carsley is clearly spoilt for choice in that area of the field. Real Madrid's Bellingham has been struggling with injury in recent weeks and was not included in England's most recent squad. Cole Palmer of Chelsea and Manchester City's Phil Foden were originally named but later withdrew. Rogers (right) joined Aston Villa in February, a few weeks after playing against them for Middlesbrough in the FA Cup Rogers joined West Bromwich Albion at under-nine level and was aged 16 when made his first-team debut for the club in February 2019. He joined Manchester City later that year and featured alongside players such as Palmer and James Mc Atee in their academy set-up, while also gaining experience during loan spells with Lincoln, Bournemouth and Blackpool. A move to Middlesbrough followed in the summer of 2023 and he scored in every round from the second round onwards as the Championship club reached last season's Carabao Cup semi-finals. Halesowen-born Rogers returned to the West Midlands in February, joining Villa for a reported initial fee of £8m which could rise to £15m, and he has since scored four goals in 23 appearances. Latest Aston Villa news, analysis and fan views Get Aston Villa news sent straight to your phone La Liga: Bellingham and Gallagher start in Madrid derby England v USA: Red Roses begin WXV1 title defence - live text 'This felt like the end for Ten Hag - if not now, very soon' Gemma Collins’ emotional search for her family history The businesswoman and self-declared diva discovers her Essex roots go back over 200 years Can slugs really be repelled? Do egg shells, copper tape and wool pellets actually work? Who will dazzle Mama Ru, and who will ‘sashay away’? Ru Paul makes the trip across the pond in search of the most charismatic queen in the land Katherine Ryan's top 10 British girlbands Cue memories and strong opinions with Scott Mills and Rylan 'This felt like the end for Ten Hag - if not now, very soon' The Man City 'B team' developing the next generation 'Like Bergkamp & Van Persie' - Palmer makes history at Chelsea The best photos from the summer of cricket What have we learned from the Rugby Championship? 'So gifted' - is 'unbelievable' Palmer England's best player? Video'So gifted' - is 'unbelievable' Palmer England's best player? 'A world record? ' What is the secret to Brentford's first-minute goals? 'A week of hope for Everton - on and off the pitch' How Arsenal set-pieces were key to beating Leicester - MOTD analysis. Video How Arsenal set-pieces were key to beating Leicester - MOTD analysis Flying wing with flying fists - meet England's electric new star Ruthless Chelsea dominate WSL newcomers Crystal Palace. Video Ruthless Chelsea dominate WSL newcomers Crystal Palace The British coach building Seahawks' new 'Legion of Boom' 'I was dead at one point' - a footballer's 'miracle' return Denied! Watch amazing Premier League goalline clearances. Video Denied! Watch amazing Premier League goalline clearances From facing Pele to Bath City FC - meet the 80-year-old assistant manager From Test match to wedding - Stone's Pakistan dash Mourinho furious with 70-minute wait for derby news conference. Video Mourinho furious with 70-minute wait for derby news conference Heavyweight permutations - what next after Dubois' win? Watch highlights of stunning Dubois victory against Joshua. Video Watch highlights of stunning Dubois victory against Joshua A plane crash, fireworks disaster & car tragedy - how Twente shaped Ten Hag © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.