A mere 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator 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.”
This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was much more joyous. When the England international swept in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough query to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the positive results have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the margins are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing 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. In the recent win, the opposition had more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.
A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge they will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger might become the force he was in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
