A mere eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him for missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were a sign or the reason of the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six matches, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have stacked up.
According to Opta, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and once more against United.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. Against United, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the player he showed during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
