Just two months in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for 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, however, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
This is a rather hard query to answer. History, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have stacked up.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team that have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear strangely fragile – but currently the margins are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.
The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, arced right inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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. Against United, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they have to face in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
- The winger might become the performer he was during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
