Just eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him over missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were an indicator or a cause for the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After the England international swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?
That’s a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have accumulated.
Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker could start scoring again.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.
Savoring the Moment
However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like an essential player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.
