Just two months in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard question to address. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have piled up.
Per the data, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look curiously susceptible – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred in London, and again against United.
His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger might become the performer he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.
Savoring the Moment
However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.
