It was 60 days in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a sign or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. When the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, find themselves a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Challengers?
That’s a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have accumulated.
Per the data, twice all season has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one 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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.
This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
