A mere eight weeks ago when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Challengers?
This is a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.
As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
