A mere eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
This is a particularly tough question to address. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more versus United.
His opener came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed during his peak.
- The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.
This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.
