It was 60 days prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as his coach scolded him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the reason for the side's more general malaise.
“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 entirely much more joyous. When the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, now sit just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
That’s a rather hard question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have stacked up.
As per the data, in only two games have Villa had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach seems to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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.”
Can It Last?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho might become the performer he resembled in Germany.
- The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
