It was 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss discarded his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win and despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.
As per the data, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear curiously susceptible – however right now the fine lines are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with some precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus United.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, arced right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the force he showed in Germany.
- The defensive duo are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
