Just two months in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or the reason for the team's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers swept in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
This is a particularly tough question to address. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the victories have stacked up.
As per Opta, in only two games has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their star man to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and once more when facing Manchester United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized 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.”
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.
