MORGAN Rogers says his move to Aston Villa is a "dream come true" and the young forward is now determined to show he deserves to playing at the top end of the Premier League.

Rogers completed his Middlesbrough to Villa switch - worth a total of £16m - early on deadline day, with the 21-year-old having been identified as Unai Emery's top target in the January window.

The former Manchester City forward says he's relishing the opportunity to work with Emery, who he believes "can get the best out of him" at Villa Park.

Rogers joined Boro for just over £1m in the summer and only made 14 Championship starts before his big-money move to Villa, where he'll look to help Emery's side continue their impressive campaign in the Premier League and Europa Conference League.

“Hearing all that is a dream come true for me,” said Rogers in his first interview when Villa's hopes for the rest of the season were put to him.

“When you grow up watching football when you’re younger, they’re the competitions you want to play in and you want to play at the top.

“I’m so grateful and honoured to be given this opportunity to do so. Now it’s down to me to show what I’m about and why I deserve to be here.”

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Emery told earlier this week of how he's excited by Rogers' potential, and the forward is looking forward to working under his new head coach.

He said: “I had a conversation with him briefly, getting to know him and what he’s about, his goals and the way he is as a manager.

“I’m looking forward to working with him because I feel like he can get the best out of me.

“With the way that the team has started this season, I want to add to that and just try to improve myself.

“I want to put myself in the best possible position to get to the top. With the manager and the players that are here and the way the club is going, it’s only going to get better.”

Earlier, Rogers posted a Boro farewell on his social media channels.

He wrote:  "I want to thank everyone associated with Boro for a memorable time.

"To the players, the staff and also you fans for supporting me the short time I’ve been here! I’ll always be grateful for the fact I got to represent such an amazing club. I hope the club gets back to where it belongs real soon."