A mere eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the team's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?
That’s a rather hard question to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, while the victories have piled up.
As per the data, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side who have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear strangely fragile – however currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against Manchester United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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?
Logic says not. Against United, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.
A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge they must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho might become the player he was in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.
This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
