It was eight weeks in the past when the young forward found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason for the team'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, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. After the England international curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their opening six matches, find themselves a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.
Per the data, twice all season has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again versus United.
Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa 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 may well be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker may begin to scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho might become the force he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.
