Just 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the sideline response was much more joyous. When the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Title Contenders?
That’s a particularly tough query to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.
His opener originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing 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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition had more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Could it be an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still find their top level.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the performer he was in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
