It was 60 days prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him for missing a through-ball. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or the source for Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?
That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have piled up.
Per Opta, twice all season has the team had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with some crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and again against United.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists a different scenario where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed during his peak.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial England player.
This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
