Just 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the source for Villa's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. When Rogers drilled in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?
That’s a rather hard question to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have piled up.
According to Opta, twice all season have Villa had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have put together 10 in a row, they look curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the net's top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.
