It was two months in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the source of the team's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. After the England international swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?
This is a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the wins have piled up.
Per the data, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, curled right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still find their top level.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
