Just two months in the past when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or a cause of the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. When the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.
As per Opta, in only two games has the team posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, the Villans look strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with some precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more when facing United.
His opener originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized 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. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
