Just 60 days prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him for missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the reason of the side's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After Rogers swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Serious Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.
Per the data, in only two games has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – however currently the fine lines are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.
His opener came from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
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
However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital England player.
This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
