It was 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or the reason of the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?
That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, while the positive results have piled up.
According to Opta, on just two occasions has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for Rogers to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“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?
Logic says not. Against United, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be another reality where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start scoring again.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the force he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.
