Just two months ago that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the team's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. After the England international drilled in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?
This is a particularly tough proposition to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have stacked up.
Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their star man to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
His opener originated from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized 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 managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.
A statistical correction might be the biggest rival the club have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
- The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.
