It was 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for Villa's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. When the England international curled home his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard question to address. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.
According to the data, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side which has strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – however at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping Rogers to bail them out with some precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus Manchester United.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.
A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he showed in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital England player.
This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
