Just eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a sign or a cause of the side's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
This is a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.
According to Opta, in only two games has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear weirdly vulnerable – however currently the margins are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced 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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, surely, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.
