This weekend marks a significant milestone for Aston Villa and one of English football's most exciting talents, as Morgan Rogers prepares to make his 100th appearance for the club. His journey, spanning five clubs, a Champions League hat-trick, and an England call-up, began on the local pitches of the West Midlands.
Halesowen Beginnings: A Prodigy Emerges
Hailing from Halesowen, Rogers' footballing destiny was apparent from his earliest days. He first joined the Halas Hawks' 'Mini Kickers' program at just five years old, immediately standing out from his peers. "We could see straight away that he was an exceptional talent," recalls club chairman Bob Hickman. "He was head and shoulders above the rest."
His power was remarkable for a child. "A lot of kids at that age can hardly reach the goal, but he was blasting the ball over the bar regularly!" Hickman explains. The coaches had to teach the young Rogers to keep his shots down. His talent was so pronounced that during penalty shoot-outs, coaches had to go in goal to protect other children from his fierce strikes.
Rogers wasn't just a footballer; he was also a gifted cricketer, an all-rounder for Halesowen Cricket Club who turned down trials with Worcestershire a decade ago to focus solely on football. His former coaches say the choice was inevitable given his singular drive.
The Academy Pathway: West Brom, Man City, and Loan Spells
After two years with Halas Hawks, Rogers moved to the West Bromwich Albion academy at age nine, the club he supported as a boy. His potential was undeniable, and despite interest from Aston Villa scouts, his family remained committed to Albion. He made his senior debut for the Baggies as a schoolboy in February 2019.
Shortly after his 17th birthday, Manchester City secured his services for over £4 million. While he scored in the 2020 FA Youth Cup final victory over Chelsea, Rogers later admitted to struggling with City's rigid structure under Pep Guardiola.
His education continued through a series of loan spells. The most productive came at Lincoln City under Michael Appleton in the 2020/21 season, where he scored six goals and provided four assists, helping the team reach the League One play-off final. Subsequent loans at Bournemouth and Blackpool, where he suffered Championship relegation, presented tougher challenges but forged his resilient mentality.
Finding a Home: Middlesbrough and the Villa Breakthrough
Ahead of his 21st birthday, seeking stability, Rogers joined Middlesbrough. After a slow start, he flourished under Michael Carrick. "From December and into January, before his move to Villa, he just started to thrive," says Boro correspondent Craig Johns. His form, including a winning goal against Birmingham City, alerted Premier League clubs.
In a move that surprised many, Aston Villa secured Rogers for an initial £8 million in January 2026, with add-ons potentially rising to £15 million. Villa manager Unai Emery initially labelled him a "Championship player," a motivational tool to spur his development. Rogers responded emphatically, scoring against Brentford, Bournemouth, and Chelsea in his first season.
The pinnacle of his early Villa career came with a stunning hat-trick against Celtic in the Champions League, securing Villa's progression to the knockout stages. This season, he has elevated his game further. Since the start of last term, he has scored 21 goals across all competitions, becoming the youngest Premier League player to net 20+ goals for his club in that period. His 14 open-play assists in the league are second only to Mohamed Salah.
The Person Behind the Player
Those who know him best point to his character as the foundation of his success. Close school friend Matt Smith draws parallels with Jude Bellingham, citing a strong, supportive family network and a grounded, professional attitude. "The biggest thing that strikes me is his personality, and that I think will take him further than anything else," Smith states.
Now, with two contract extensions signed under Emery, tying him to Villa until 2031, and having earned his first England cap, Rogers' future looks boundless. For the coaches at Halas Hawks and his community in Halesowen, his journey is a source of immense pride. "I burst with pride," says Halas' Paula Hickman. "You always feel excitement when he is on the ball." As he reaches 100 Villa appearances, the consensus is clear: Morgan Rogers has the raw attributes and mentality to achieve anything in the game.
