A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him for missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or the reason for the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have accumulated.
As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team which has just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however currently the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to save the day with two crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.
His opener came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
- The attacking talent might become the player he resembled in Germany.
- The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial England player.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
