It was eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, however, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. When the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the victories have accumulated.
According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened when facing United.
Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
