A mere two months in the past when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or the source of Villa's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their opening six games, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“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. During the latest victory, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
- The winger could transform into the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.
This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
