A mere eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a sign or the reason of the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough question to address. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have accumulated.
According to Opta, twice all season has the team had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.
His opener stemmed from a superb shot, arced right inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. Against United, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.
A reversion to average might be the biggest rival the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
