Just eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. When Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.
According to Opta, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, they seem weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened against United.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction could be the biggest rival Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the top corner forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are due to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder now would be leading a title charge and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.
This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
