A mere two months prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him for missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or the source for the side's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
It remains a rather hard question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.
According to the data, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look strangely fragile – but currently the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus United.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. Against United, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.
A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still find their top level.
- The main striker could start scoring again.
- The winger may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a title charge and appearing as an essential player for the national team.
This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.
