It was eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or the reason for the team's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.
According to Opta, in only two games have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has just won 10 in a row, Villa seem strangely fragile – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened against United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up 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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent they have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- The main striker could start scoring again.
- The winger might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
- The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
