Just 60 days in the past that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the source of the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.
As per the data, in only two games has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still find their top level.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
