Just eight weeks prior when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or the reason for the team's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As the England international drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six games, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Serious Hopefuls?
That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have piled up.
According to the data, in only two games has the team had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have put together 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition before hoping Rogers to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred in London, and again when facing United.
The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.
A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
