It was eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were a sign or the source of Villa's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. As the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.
According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have put together 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”
Can It Last?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.
A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.
A Case for Belief
Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.