It was 60 days ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was far more favourable. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
It remains a rather hard question to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, while the wins have stacked up.
Per the data, in only two games has the side posted an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction could be the biggest rival they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho might become the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.
This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
