Aston Villa have not had a good start to the season, but it is understandable that this new-look squad will struggle to get going after so much change.
Morgan Rodgers helped Aston Villa win the Europa League last season. His skill on the ball, powerful running and Ollie Watkins-like dynamism led to silverware and continued success. This led to Chelsea paying £117 million to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Technically, Villa replaced their big money man. Unai Emery has overseen sweeping changes this summer, and while there has been a serious learning curve for this new, unknown squad at the start of the season, there is no doubt that the potential for great things in the future is still there.
However, the fact remains that NSWE is looking to land another Rogers-like signing in 2027.
Why Aston Villa still want a signing like Rogers
Rodgers was a special, special player for Aston Villa. Hailed as “one of the best in the world” by Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp last term, he has truly been a defining role for Emery’s developing side. He went for a crazy fee.
Still, Rodgers’ sale is understandable. Aston Villa would hardly say no to such money. While other Premier League sides struggle to appear at the start of a consistent and exciting new journey after much summer spending.
Johan Manzambi, who left Newcastle United this summer, looks to be a steal at around £50m. The Switzerland international, who appeared for his country at the World Cup, was described by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell as Rogers’ “straightforward replacement”, but he will need time and patience before he reaches the same level as the Three Lions sensation.
Aston Villa clearly want the next version of Rogers and while Manzambi is talented, exciting, he is also raw and should be allowed to integrate step by step over the coming years.
How Aston Villa can sign their new Roger
While Aston Villa have made drastic changes this summer, there is definitely room for further action next summer.
According to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness, Aston Villa are among the Premier League sides in talks to sign Scott McTominay, with the Napoli midfielder expected to leave the club next summer with a year left on his Napoli contract.
The Scotland international, valued at around £25m, will leave Serie A as “one of the best midfielders in Europe”, in the words of BBC pundit Rory Smith, and led the club to the Scudetto in 2024/25, claiming the division’s MVP award. He went from his junior status at Manchester United to a key role in Italy, scoring 27 goals for the club.
The 29-year-old may not be a spring chicken like Manzambi or a first-year superstar like Rogers, but he has held himself to an elite standard and would bring that back to the Premier League with a hunger to succeed where he had previously failed.
Scott McTominay – Club Career Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
Position | Programs | Goals + Assists |
Manchester United | 225 | 29 + 8 |
Naples | 82 | 27 + 10 |
Scotland | 73 | 15 + 4 |
Napoli may not have been on the same level in Serie A last year, but McTominay still scored ten times in 33 games and boasts the same cutting edge that saw Rogers succeed in the Premier League, first with Villa and now at Chelsea.
Think of it this way: Rogers is broader in his skill set. He is a physical player with a natural eye for goal and is technical enough to make many assists that contribute to the fluidity of his team’s overall attacking dominance. McTominay could be more rational in what he does, but he does it well, one of the top goalscorers in Italy with his accolades taking him to 18th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings.
McTominay would return to the Premier League as a more cultured and refined player. He has the title-winning experience to prove something of a talisman for the young and raw crop of Villan players.
He has the potential to be a leader while adding an invaluable dimension in front of goal.