It was 60 days prior that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, however, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, find themselves a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.
As per the data, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team which has just won ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.
“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the force he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
