Exclusive: Morgan Rogers on Cristiano Ronaldo inspiration, UEFA Champions League nights, and Jude Bellingham friendship

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.

“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.

Highlights: Rogers treble drives Villa past Celtic and into last 16

Video credit: TNT Sports

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.”

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

Video credit: TNT Sports

Digging back even further, Rogers spoke about his long-time friendship with fellow England midfielder Jude Bellingham.

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.”