A mere eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or the source of the side's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. As the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?
That’s a particularly tough query to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have accumulated.
According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more versus Manchester United.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker could start scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho might become the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
