It was two months prior that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the side's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, however, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to save the day with two crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing United.
His opener originated from a superb shot, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge they will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.
This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
