It was 60 days prior when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of Villa's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss discarded his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their opening six games, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, even as the wins have accumulated.
Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more shots and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward could start scoring again.
- The attacking talent could transform into the performer he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
