A mere 60 days ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach scolded him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or the reason for the side's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is a particularly tough question to answer. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, while the positive results have accumulated.
As per the data, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, arced just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.
A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger might become the force he resembled in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
