Aston Villa's perfect Morgan Rogers replacement is obvious - and wouldn't cost a penny

Aston Villa are hoping for a strong end to the season in order to secure Champions League football but will have some difficult decisions to make surrounding key players over the summer transfer window.

The Villans have seen their form go downhill in recent weeks due to a lack of squad depth compared with many of their top six rivals, which could lead to a devastating failure to attain their goal unless things are turned around quickly.

Off the field, thoughts are already beginning to look ahead towards the summer. Striker Ollie Watkins has been linked with a possible move away and Emiliano Martinez could also leave amidst frequent speculation over his future across the last 12 months. The one player they will hope not to lose, but might be forced to, is Morgan Rogers – but an ideal replacement might be available.

Julian Brandt emerges as perfect Rogers replacement

According to reports by ESPN, Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Julian Brandt is set to leave the Bundesliga giants at the end of the season – meaning he might be primed for a move to the Premier League and Villa Park.

Aston Villa have been linked with the 29-year-old over recent months but it was initially thought that he would stay in Dortmund, before these latest updates where the Black and Yellows’ managing director Lars Ricken told Sky on Saturday that the club and player had ‘agreed not to extend Brandt's contract’, which expires at the end of the campaign.

Brandt signed for Dortmund for £21.6 million in 2019 and has made 297 appearances for the club, scoring 56 goals – 10 of which have come this season in what is already the joint-highest return of his time at the club. The playmaker has also scored three times in the Champions League this term and his experience in the competition would be invaluable to Villa if they do qualify.

Could Brandt replace Rogers seamlessly at Villa Park?

Selling Rogers this summer is far from Villa’s ideal scenario but with reported £100m interest from the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United, if firm offers were to arrive at that price it might prove difficult to turn down.

Villa’s challenging financial position over recent seasons has been well documented, with reported £200m losses between 2022-2024 and a fine being received by the club last summer along with Chelsea. Qualifying for the Champions League may alleviate these concerns somewhat but if a quality replacement in Brandt is available for free, it might ease the club’s concerns in parting ways with Rogers.

The 23-year-old former Middlesbrough star has bagged 10 goals and seven assists this term and has firmly risen into the Villa Park spotlight, but his future might be uncertain. If Rogers is ultimately to wave an unfortunate goodbye, Unai Emery’s side could secure in Brandt a ready-made replacement on a free transfer who is experienced at affecting games on the biggest European stages and has hit similar goalscoring numbers over recent years.

He will be available on a pre-contract agreement, too, as he plays abroad – so Villa do not even need to wait until the summer and can begin making strides now to get their man.