It was two months in the past when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As Rogers drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Serious Challengers?
This is a rather hard proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look strangely fragile – but right now the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with two crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the upright 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.
“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?
Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the force he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
This could contain the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.
This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.
