It was two months prior when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the side's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?
That’s a particularly tough proposition to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have piled up.
According to Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but currently the margins are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against United.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.
