It was eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or the reason of Villa's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Challengers?
This is a rather hard proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing this season, while the victories have piled up.
As per Opta, twice all season have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team who have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing United.
Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.
This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.
This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.
