A mere two months in the past that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery 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 displays were a sign or the source of 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, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six games, find themselves just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the wins have stacked up.
Per Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side who have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.
His opener originated from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition had more shots and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average might be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the force he was in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a title charge and appearing as a crucial England player.
This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
