Just 60 days ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or a cause of the side's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
That’s a particularly tough query to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have stacked up.
According to Opta, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, they look strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes 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 rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced 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. During the latest victory, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he showed in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.
This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be leading a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.
