It was eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or a cause for the side's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss discarded his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is a particularly tough query to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.
Per Opta, in only two games have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first 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, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the force he was during his peak.
- The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.
This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
