Ex-Aston Villa scout drops verdict on whether club have unearthed the next Morgan Rogers

George Hemmings looks a strong prospect but it's too early to judge if he can properly replace Morgan Rogers at Aston Villa.

That is the opinion of former senior Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 19-year-old has started all four of the opening games of the season, and appears to have risen among Unai Emery's favourites.

Rogers' £117million move to Chelsea this summer has left a significant hole in the Villa team, but Hemmings, on paper, is a natural replacement.

The England youth international is a natural left-winger and has also featured in the midfield, even sharing a similar gait to his former teammate.

It remains to be seen whether Alejandro Garnacho will play more of a role in the coming weeks, however, with the summer signing having suffered a knock in pre-season.

Ex-Villa scout: 'You can't ask more than that'

Hemmings joined Villa in 2023 after his contract at Nottingham Forest had expired, signing his first professional terms at Villa Park.

And the teenager has had to be patient since, initially featuring as a defensive midfielder, before gradually moving up the pitch.

The winger made his first appearances for the Under-21s in 2024, and was handed his Villa debut last season in the Premier League.

After impressing in pre-season, Hemmings now looks to be considered a part of the first team squad and a regular starter.

"George Hemmings, young boy, 19. He looks a good prospect, strong, good on the ball, works hard," King told Football Insider.

"You know, for a 19-year-old, you can't ask more than that. Whether he can play like Morgan Rogers, we'll have to wait and see."

What Unai Emery has said about Hemmings

With players returning in the coming days, it remains to be seen where Hemmings stands in the team.

The winger has coped well in the opening games but has been unable to find the difference that Emery has been looking for.

However, the Spaniard has been hugely impressed and proved so when he spoke after Saturday's draw with Hull City.

"George worked the whole year with us last year and played minutes. He is performing fantastically and getting better," he said.

"He created one assist for [Emi] Buendia. He is working on the intensity and kilometres we need. He is doing it. I think he is a player now, clearly, to be in the Premier League.

"Then, we have other players who have joined who need to adapt to us in training, playing matches, and Garnacho is in this way. We need their performance to try to add things, working and getting numbers. Garnacho is in this way. How he is responding, George, is really fantastic.”