A mere eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source of Villa's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. As Rogers curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their opening six games, now sit only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
This is a rather hard query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have piled up.
As per Opta, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the fine lines are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, arced right inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the player he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.
