Just two months prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were a sign or a cause of Villa's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After the England international drilled in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Title Contenders?
This is a particularly tough query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.
As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, they seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more when facing United.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing 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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.
A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
- The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.
