Just two months prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the team's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their opening six fixtures, now sit a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
This is a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.
As per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club that have just won 10 in a row, they look curiously susceptible – yet right now the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.
“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.”
Can It Last?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he showed during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.
This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
