At a moment when Aston Villa’s forwards are highly sought after, another player from the squad has achieved a remarkable scoring milestone in the Champions League, one that players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Erling Haaland would admire.

Morgan Rogers made history by scoring two goals within the first five minutes of the match against Celtic, becoming the first player ever to accomplish such a feat in Champions League history, according to statistics provider Opta.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, previously part of Manchester City’s youth team, completed his hat trick with a goal during stoppage time of the second half, contributing to a 4-2 victory, which secured Villa’s automatic qualification for the round of 16, finishing in eighth place.

“This is definitely the highlight of my career so far,” stated Rogers, reflecting on his outstanding performance.

Celebrating his goals at Villa Park with a unique gesture reminiscent of Cole Palmer, he rubbed his hands over his arms in a “cold” pose, adding flair to his striking achievements.

This season has marked a significant breakthrough for Rogers at Villa, and his contributions will be vital as the season progresses.

Current reports in the British media suggest a possible transfer for Jhon Duran, Villa’s Colombian backup striker, to Al Nassr, a Saudi club where Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays.

Villa manager Unai Emery commented on the situation, saying, “We are being noticed by another strong team in a powerful league like Saudi Arabia, and that’s something to be proud of.”

He further mentioned, “I can’t confirm whether Jhon Duran is leaving until everything is finalized, but if he does, it signifies good news for us. They are offering considerable money for a player we have developed over the past two years.”

Duran did not play against Celtic, as Ollie Watkins took on the full match time and added another goal for Villa. Watkins, however, also faced challenges, missing a penalty after slipping during his attempt.

His future is under scrutiny amidst reports of Arsenal making a bid for him, a move that was declined. As a lifelong Arsenal supporter, Watkins’ situation is complex.

Emery stated, “We aim to retain him. Every player can be available in the market if it benefits the player, the club, and the team. To finalize any deal, we must remain assertive. Watkins is our striker.”

This season marks Aston Villa’s first appearance in Europe’s premier competition since the 1982-83 season, where they played as defending champions.