A mere two months prior when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or the reason of the team's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. After the England international curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
It remains a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.
As per Opta, in only two games have Villa had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent they have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Could it be a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.
