A mere eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
This is a rather hard question to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.
His opener originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“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. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger might become the performer he showed in Germany.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
