Just two months ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Title Contenders?
This is a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.
As per Opta, in only two games has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team that have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however currently the margins are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with some precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more versus United.
Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the net's top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
