It was eight weeks in the past that the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or the source of the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. When the England international curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
That’s a particularly tough query to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side which has put together a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – but currently the margins are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for Rogers to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against United.
The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be 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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be another reality where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.