A mere two months prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him for missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or a cause of the side's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened against the Red Devils.
His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital England player.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.
