A mere two months in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, however, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six games, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
It remains an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the positive results have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more versus United.
The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing 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.”
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball into the top corner indefinitely.
Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet find their top level.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
A software engineer and tech writer passionate about open-source projects and AI advancements.
