It was 60 days ago when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were a sign or the reason of Villa's wider issues.
“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 entirely far more favourable. After the England international curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.
Per Opta, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – however currently the margins are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The current approach looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.
The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized 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?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.
Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was in Germany.
- The defensive duo are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.
This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
