A mere 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were an indicator or the source for Villa'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. When Rogers drilled in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss tore off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?
That’s a particularly tough query to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the victories have piled up.
According to the data, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club that have just won 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version 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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial England player.
This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.
