Just 60 days ago that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager scolded him for missing a through-ball. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or the source of the side's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When the England international curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
This is a particularly tough query to answer. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have piled up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their star man to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing United.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to scoring again.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he was in Germany.
- The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
