It was eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard question to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have accumulated.
As per the data, in only two games has the side had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have just won 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.
A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still find their top level.
- The main striker might resume scoring again.
- The winger may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.
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 occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.
