It was 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or a cause for the team's wider issues.
“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 decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?
It remains a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the victories have accumulated.
Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side which has put together ten consecutive victories, they look strangely fragile – but currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again against Manchester United.
The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced 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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho might become the force he resembled during his peak.
- The defensive duo are set to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.
This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
