A mere two months prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or a cause for the side's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six games, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.
Per Opta, in only two games has the side posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.
“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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge they will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.
This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.
