Just eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause 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 was entirely much more joyous. After the England international swept in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?
That’s a rather hard query to resolve. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.
According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. 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 nearly all of those games.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.
This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.
