It was 60 days prior when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the source of Villa's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?
It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.
According to the data, twice all season have Villa registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.
Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
- The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
