Just 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were a sign or the reason for the team's wider issues.
“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 entirely far more favourable. As Rogers drilled in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard query to answer. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.
Per the data, in only two games has the side posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have just won 10 in a row, Villa appear curiously susceptible – however at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened against United.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent they must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are due to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.
This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
