Aston Villa’s Academy: A Hidden Gem in English Football
Aston Villa’s academy is often overlooked, yet it stands as one of the most prolific in English football history. Over the years, the Villans have nurtured numerous exceptional talents, most notably Gareth Barry, who holds the record for the most appearances in Premier League history. The academy has also produced notable defenders such as Ciaran Clark and Gary Cahill, with Clark spending a significant portion of his career at Villa compared to Cahill, who went on to achieve success with Chelsea.
In recent times, Jacob Ramsey has emerged as a key figure representing the academy, but perhaps the most illustrious graduate remains Jack Grealish.
Jack Grealish: A Villa Legend
Before his record-breaking transfer to Manchester City in 2021 for £100 million, Jack Grealish solidified his status as a football superstar during his time at Aston Villa. A lifelong supporter of the club, Grealish captained Villa and played a total of 213 matches across the Championship and Premier League. His debut came in the 2013-14 season, but he truly made his mark the following year, finishing his Villa career with 32 goals and 41 assists.
Grealish had three standout seasons that define his legacy at the club. The first was the 2018-19 campaign, where he played a pivotal role in securing promotion to the Premier League, contributing six goals and six assists in 32 Championship appearances. This triumph came a year after a heartbreaking playoff final loss at Wembley. In the subsequent seasons, he was instrumental in helping Villa stave off relegation from the top flight. In 2019-20, Grealish notched 14 goal contributions in 36 games, and the following year, he improved that tally with 16 contributions in just 26 matches. His vital contributions laid the groundwork for Villa’s resurgence, ultimately propelling the club to Champions League contention.
Post-Villa, Grealish has continued to shine at Manchester City, where he has won three Premier League titles and achieved a treble. His departure marked the largest sale in Aston Villa’s history, though another player is poised to make a similar impact.
The Next Big Thing: Morgan Rogers
The emerging talent currently drawing attention is Morgan Rogers, an attacker who has made a significant impression under manager Unai Emery this season. The England U21 international, who transferred from Middlesbrough for an initial fee of £8 million (potentially rising to £16 million), has already scored two goals and provided two assists in nine appearances. He has been a starter in every match in the Premier League and Champions League, even registering an assist during his European debut against Bologna.
Former Villa player Tony Cascarino has been particularly complimentary of Rogers, likening him to Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala. Speaking on talkSPORT, Cascarino noted, “He reminds me a little bit of Jamal Musiala. He’s that guy that picks up the ball and makes runs, creating problems for defenders.” This comparison is significant, as Musiala is recognized as a standout talent in modern football.
Rogers showcases exceptional dribbling skills, maneuvering through defenders with remarkable ease. He is known for his explosive pace and ability to cover ground quickly. Statistics back this up; according to FBref, Rogers averages an impressive 3.16 progressive carries per 90 minutes, outpacing Musiala’s 2.79.
As both players share a similar style of play, the financial potential for Rogers is also noteworthy. While Musiala is valued at around £108 million according to Transfermarkt, Tim Sherwood has suggested that Rogers could be worth as much as £80 million, indicating that he may soon join the ranks of elite players to emerge from Villa Park.