Just eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for the team's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?
This is a particularly tough query to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have piled up.
According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with two crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.
Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.
