A mere eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. As Rogers swept in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six games, find themselves just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough question to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they look curiously susceptible – however currently the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened when facing Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“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?
Logic says not. Against United, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average might be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.
- The main striker may begin to scoring again.
- The winger could transform into the performer he was in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.
This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.
