It was two months ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or the source for Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. When the England international curled home his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
That’s a particularly tough query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, even as the victories have accumulated.
As per Opta, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear weirdly vulnerable – however currently the margins are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge they must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
