Aston Villa have become a very progressive club over the last few years and they are never one that wants to stand still.
With Unai Emery at the helm this will never be allowed to happen, as he is always looking to improve Aston Villa.
Emery has done that both with his coaching and with the work he has done with Monchi in the transfer market to take Villa from a team in danger of relegation when he took over in late 2022 to a Champions League club.
The likes of Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana have all joined since Emery took over and made a real impact, but one of the more low-key signings is really proving his worth this season in Morgan Rogers.
- READ MORE: Morgan Rogers shares Jacob Ramsey phone call he had that sealed £15m Aston Villa transfer
Aston Villa scouting Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney
Villa swooped to sign Rogers from Middlesbrough in a deal worth up to £15 million last January, with many surprised that Emery wanted the winger.
However, Rogers has progressed at a rapid rate and his performances are gaining widespread praise operating as a second striker this season.
It now looks as though Villa could be planning to return to Middlesbrough to repeat the trick as TBR Football have revealed that Villa sent scouts to The Hawthorns on Tuesday night to watch Boro midfielder Hayden Hackney against West Brom.
- READ MORE: Unai Emery made a fatal error in the transfer window that is already costing Aston Villa this season
Villa’s scouts were not alone, as Nottingham Forest and Wolves both also had representatives at the game, and Hackney treated them all by scoring the winner in the 1-0 victory.
Hackney put in an impressive display as well as scoring and Villa could look to use Rogers’ development to convince the England under-21 midfielder to choose them over any other potential suitors in January.
Middlesbrough expert shares Hayden Hackney verdict
To get the low-down on what Villa fans could expect should Emery push to sign Hackney, we spoke to Middlesbrough expert Josh Barker.
Barker explained: “Hayden Hackney is arguably the biggest success story to come out of Middlesbrough’s academy since Stewart Downing back in the early 2000s.
“He broke into the first team under Neil Warnock but has really stepped up his game since Michael Carrick arrived at the Riverside in October 2022.
“Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United scouted Hackney over the summer and it’s easy to see why so many top Premier League clubs are looking at the Boro sensation.
“Despite injury issues hampering him somewhat, he had a superb 2023/24 season that included scoring the winning goal in the first leg of the semi-final of the Carabao Cup against Chelsea.
“Hackney is best suited to playing in a box-to-box role alongside a more defensive-minded player at the base of midfield.
“His ability to carry the ball forward is a joy to watch while there are few players in the Championship better at picking out key passes than Hackney.
“As well as possessing a tireless defensive work-rate, the 22-year-old has a real eye for goal. He has already scored two excellent goals this season, offering any side an extra attacking threat from deep.
“Hackney’s immense talent is clear and given his potential, I am surprised Boro have been able to keep hold of him for this long. Whether at Middlesbrough or somewhere else, he is destined to play Premier League football in the future.”
A really exciting young talent, Villa could be the perfect home for Hackney.
