A mere 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him over missing a through-ball. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, now sit only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, even as the wins have piled up.
Per the data, twice all season has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the force he was in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
