A mere eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or the source of Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. After Rogers curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss discarded his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, even as the wins have piled up.
According to Opta, in only two games has the team had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened against the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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 opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.
A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger might become the force he showed during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.
