It was eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were an indicator or a cause 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.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their opening six matches, find themselves only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Challengers?
This is a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, even as the victories have piled up.
As per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have just won 10 in a row, Villa appear curiously susceptible – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus United.
His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists a different scenario where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho might become the player he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential England player.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
