It was two months prior that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a sign or the source for the side's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When the England international drilled in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough question to address. The historical record, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, even as the wins have accumulated.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have put together 10 in a row, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again versus United.
His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still find their top level.
- The main striker may begin to scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.
