It was eight weeks in the past when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the side's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. As Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit just three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
This is a rather hard query to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have stacked up.
Per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have just won 10 in a row, the Villans appear strangely fragile – but currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against Manchester United.
The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football into the top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the force he showed in Germany.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
This could contain the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a title charge and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
