A mere eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a symptom or the source for Villa's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.
His opener originated from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.
Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.
