Forget Arsenal and Manchester City, Carragher believes one man is good enough to ‘drive’ his team to glory

As the Premier League season continues to surprise everyone, one of the biggest stories quietly growing in the background is Aston Villa’s unexpected push towards the title. What once sounded like a fantasy is slowly beginning to feel real, and after another dramatic comeback win, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes everything depends on one player. That player is Morgan Rogers.

Aston Villa’s 3-2 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium was not just another three points. It was a statement. Twice they went behind. Twice they were tested. And twice they responded. By the final whistle, Villa had shown character, belief, and most importantly, quality. The win kept them just three points behind league leaders Arsenal, and suddenly the question nobody expected to ask is being whispered louder each week. Can Aston Villa really win the Premier League?

Unai Emery has tried to calm the noise. Just days earlier, after beating Arsenal 2-1 at Villa Park and ending the Gunners’ long unbeaten run, the Spanish coach played down talk of a title challenge. He praised his players, praised the performance, but refused to get carried away. Emery knows how dangerous expectations can be. He has seen teams rise too fast and fall even quicker. But football has a way of ignoring caution when momentum takes over.

At West Ham, illa looked like a team that believes something special is happening. When West Ham took the lead, Villa did not panic. When West Ham went ahead again, Villa did not crumble. Instead, one player stepped forward, just as he has been doing more and more this season. Morgan Rogers took control.

Jamie Carragher was watching closely, and after the match, he made his feelings very clear. In his eyes, Aston Villa’s title hopes rest on the shoulders of one man. Carragher compared Rogers to the key players driving other title contenders, and his message was simple. Manchester City have Erling Haaland. Arsenal have Declan Rice. And Aston Villa have Morgan Rogers. For Carragher, that comparison alone says everything.

Rogers scored twice against West Ham, both goals showing composure, intelligence, and confidence. Those goals took his tally to five goals and five assists in 23 appearances across all competitions this season. But numbers only tell part of the story. What Rogers gives Villa goes far beyond goals and assists. He gives them belief.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher did not hold back in his praise. He described Rogers as “something special,” a player who seemed to arrive almost from nowhere. Signed quietly from Middlesbrough for a modest fee, Rogers has grown into one of the most exciting players in the Premier League.

Carragher explained that last season, Rogers looked like one of the best young players in the league. Now, he looks like one of the best players in the league, full stop.

That rise has been fast, dramatic, and unexpected.

Rogers’ journey has not always been smooth. Born in Halesowen, he spent time developing away from the spotlight before making his move to Aston Villa in early 2024. At the time, few people paid much attention. £8 million did not feel like headline money. But in hindsight, it looks like one of the bargains of the decade.

During the 2024-25 season, Rogers exploded. He scored 14 goals and provided 16 assists across all competitions. He did it in the Premier League. He did it in Europe. In the Champions League alone, he contributed four goals and three assists in 12 matches, announcing himself on the biggest stage.

By August, his performances were impossible to ignore. Rogers was named PFA Young Player of the Year, a moment that confirmed his arrival among England’s elite talents. Yet even after such a season, the new campaign did not start perfectly.

The early weeks were frustrating. Rogers struggled to hit his rhythm. Rumours began to spread. Former striker Darren Bent even suggested that Rogers may have wanted to leave in the summer and was unhappy. Questions were asked about his future, his focus, and his consistency.

But those doubts have now been answered.

Rogers has responded in the best way possible. Not with words, but with performances. Goals, assists, and match-winning displays have returned, and with them, Aston Villa’s belief has grown stronger. Carragher believes this resurgence could define Villa’s season.

In his view, if Aston Villa are to truly challenge for the title, or even pull off one of the greatest shocks in Premier League history, Morgan Rogers must continue to lead the way. And it is not just club football where Rogers is making waves.

His form has also caught the full attention of England manager Thomas Tuchel. Ahead of next summer’s World Cup in North America, Rogers has positioned himself as one of the most exciting options in the national setup. His international rise has been just as impressive as his club journe

Rogers made his England debut under caretaker manager Lee Carsley in November 2024, playing a role in a 3-0 win against Greece. Since then, Tuchel has made sure he stays involved. The former Manchester City academy graduate has become a regular feature in England squads, trusted by the German coach in important moments.

He even scored his first international goal in a 3-0 friendly win against Wales in October, a milestone moment that further boosted his confidence. Watching him play, it is clear Tuchel sees something special.

Jamie Carragher believes that when the World Cup arrives, Jude Bellingham is still the favourite to start as England’s number 10 behind Harry Kane. Bellingham has been England’s talisman for years, shining at Euro 2024 and becoming a superstar at Real Madrid. His impact, leadership, and quality are undeniable. However, Carragher also believes the gap is closing.

The more he watches Rogers, the more he feels this is no longer a simple decision for Tuchel. What once seemed automatic is now a genuine debate. Carragher suggested that this is not a case of Bellingham walking straight back into the role. Instead, it is turning into a real fight.

Bellingham has had his own challenges. A back injury has troubled him over the past year, affecting his rhythm and availability. While he remains one of England’s best players, fitness concerns and heavy workloads cannot be ignored. Meanwhile, Rogers is fresh, hungry, and fearless.

Carragher believes Tuchel sees this too. The Liverpool legend hinted that the England manager may already be viewing Rogers as more than just a backup option. If Rogers continues to deliver performances like the one against West Ham, Carragher feels it is no longer guaranteed that Bellingham starts.

Instead, England may head into the World Cup with one of the most fascinating selection battles in recent memory. Two elite talents. One position. One tournament.

Tuchel could use upcoming friendlies, including games against Uruguay and Japan in March, to test both players in different roles. He may even explore ways to fit both into the same team. But the message is clear. Morgan Rogers is no longer just an exciting prospect. He is a serious contender.

Back at Aston Villa, the focus remains on the league.

Each game now feels heavier. Each win feels louder. The table does not lie, and Villa are right there. Three points off the top. Still chasing. Still fighting. Still believing.

Unai Emery will continue to downplay expectations. He will talk about process, consistency, and improvement. But deep down, he knows something special is building. His players know it too. And Morgan Rogers is at the heart of it all.

Whether Villa can sustain this push until May remains to be seen. The Premier League is unforgiving. Injuries, pressure, and fatigue will test them. But with Rogers in this form, they have a weapon few expected them to posses