Just eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or the source of the side's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six games, are somehow only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Challengers?
This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have stacked up.
Per Opta, in only two games has the team had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, they appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping Rogers to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward could start scoring again.
- The winger might become the performer he showed during his peak.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.
