A mere two months in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have stacked up.
As per Opta, in only two games has the side posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again versus United.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to drilling the football into the top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start scoring again.
- The winger may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.
This could contain the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.
