Just two months prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, as the club went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for Villa's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.
Per the data, on just two occasions has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and again when facing United.
His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced just 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 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the football into the top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Could it be a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the midfielder now would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
