Just eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for 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, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
That’s a particularly tough query to answer. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.
Per the data, twice all season have Villa registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing the Red Devils.
His opener originated from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge they will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential England player.
This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.
