A mere eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as his coach berated him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Challengers?
It remains a rather hard query to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have accumulated.
Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club who have put together 10 in a row, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened against Manchester United.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing 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 more shots and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
