Just 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of the team's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. As the England international curled home his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?
It remains a rather hard query to answer. History, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have stacked up.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has put together 10 in a row, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced 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 had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.
Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
