A mere eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or the source of Villa'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 was entirely much more joyous. As the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
That’s a particularly tough question to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have piled up.
According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have just won 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – however currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more against United.
His opener came from a superb shot, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent could transform into the player he showed in Germany.
- The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a vital England player.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
