It was 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or the source of the side's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
This is a rather hard proposition to address. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.
According to the data, in only two games has the team had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach looks like to trade blows with an opponent before hoping Rogers to save the day with two crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened in London, and again when facing Manchester United.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“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. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent they have to face in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.
This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
