It was eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the wins have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have just won 10 in a row, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with some precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
