It was two months prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were a sign or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers swept in his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six games, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?
That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.
According to the data, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, the Villans look strangely fragile – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing United.
His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots 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 games.
Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent they will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the football into the net's top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still find their top level.
- The main striker might resume scoring again.
- The attacking talent might become the force he showed during his peak.
- The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
