Just eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the source for Villa's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six matches, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
That’s a particularly tough query to answer. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club which has put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however right now the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again versus United.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, arced right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Can It Last?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.
