A mere eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of the side's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. When Rogers swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Challengers?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, while the wins have accumulated.
As per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side who have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with some crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.
The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the football into the top corner forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the performer he was during his peak.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
