It was two months ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him over missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. After the England international drilled in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their opening six fixtures, now sit a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
This is a rather hard proposition to address. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.
As per Opta, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – yet right now the margins are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.
Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be another reality where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger might become the force he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential player for the national team.
This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
