It was eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or the source of Villa's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Challengers?
It remains a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.
Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.
“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?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction could be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the force he was in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.
