Just 60 days in the past when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the team's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough question to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.
Per the data, twice all season have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have put together 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener 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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent they have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.
This could contain the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.
