A mere 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the side's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six games, find themselves just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
This is a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club which has strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened against United.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, arced just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start scoring again.
- The winger may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
- The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
