It was 60 days prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or the source of the team's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. When the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six games, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
That’s a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.
According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, the Villans look curiously susceptible – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.
His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential player for the national team.
This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
