It was two months in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as his coach scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source for the side's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have accumulated.
Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – yet currently the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened when facing United.
His opener originated from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Could it be a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he resembled during his peak.
- The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.
This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
