Just two months prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or the source of Villa's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers swept in his second to restore his side's advantage, the boss tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six games, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have stacked up.
According to the data, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their star man to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again against the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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?
Logic says not. Against United, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.
Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
