Just eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, even as the wins have accumulated.
According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have just won ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – however currently the fine lines are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with two crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus United.
Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.
A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the force he was in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
