Just 60 days ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, 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.”
This weekend, however, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the boss tore off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
This is a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.
As per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more against Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents managed more shots and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
