A mere two months ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or the source of the side's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was much more joyous. As Rogers curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club who have just won 10 in a row, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – however currently the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.
The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers faced the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
