A mere eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a symptom or the source of the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. After Rogers curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their star man to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened against the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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 opposition had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average might be the biggest rival they must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital England player.
The current run must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
