Magnificent Morgan Rogers is Aston Villa’s talisman and the solution to Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup dilemma

It has been one of the most debated topics around recent England camps.

Who will start in the hotly-contested no.10 position when the World Cup comes around?

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From Jude Bellingham to Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers to Phil Foden, Thomas Tuchel is blessed with options that make him the envy of his international counterparts.

As Villa Park rose as one to salute the magnificent Morgan Rogers after his two-goal salvo fired Unai Emery’s men to a TENTH straight win, the answer is surely staring Tuchel in the face.

Following a slow start to the season, in keeping with Villa, Rogers is motoring as the talisman of the Midlanders’ unlikely Premier League title push.

His delightful double to down a depleted but spirited United means Rogers has now scored three braces in his last six league appearances.

It was not just the quality of his two almost identical right-foot curlers that stood out, but the timing of the strikes.

The first on the cusp of half time, after Rogers had almost burst a blood vessel to keep a wayward pass in play, came when Villa were being outplayed by their visitors.

The second, after Matheus Cunha had seized on a Matty Cash mistake to draw United level, just 12 minutes into the second half meant the Red Devils had no chance to settle having lost captain Bruno Fernandes to injury at half time.

It was a similar story last weekend as below-par Villa had to come from twice behind to beat struggling West Ham courtesy of Rogers’ stunning late winner.

However, Rogers offers far more than an eye for a spectacular goal. His ability to carry the ball at pace and turn defence into attack has been a major part in Villa’s remarkable turnaround from their early-season woes.

His bravery on the ball also helped take the game to United on another afternoon when Villa were not at their best but still managed to find a way to take all three points.

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Man United found wanting

How United boss Ruben Amorim must wish he had Rogers in his ranks at a time when United’s resources are stretched to breaking point.

Already without Amad and Bryan Mbuembo due to Africa Cup of Nations duty, potentially losing Fernandes for the hectic Christmas period is a body blow for Amorim.

On top of that big-money summer signing Benjamin Sesko is still struggling to adapt to the Premier League.

Sesko spurned two glorious first half chances with the score locked at 0-0 to put his team in front.

The Slovenian was also slow to get on the end of Mason Mount’s teasing low cross early in the second half.

United’s vocal away fans kept themselves warm by serenading their former stars including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. It is unlikely the Norwegian poacher would have been as wasteful as Sekso.

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But this was not a day to highlight United’s shortcomings, but to heap praise on Rogers and salivate about the prospect of what he can do on the world stage next summer.

Teammate Amadou Onana placed an imaginary crown on Rogers’ head after his second goal. He is certainly king of Villa Park right now.