Just two months ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was if his performances were an indicator or the reason for the team's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?
That’s a rather hard question to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have stacked up.
As per Opta, on just two occasions has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened when facing United.
His opener originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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?
Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.
This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.
