Just eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, while the positive results have stacked up.
Per the data, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side who have just won 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Can It Last?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.
Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the player he was in Germany.
- The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.
This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
