Just 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him over missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source of Villa's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit just three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Title Contenders?
This is a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have stacked up.
Per the data, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – however right now the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping Rogers to save the day with some precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing United.
His opener stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced 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. Against United, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the football into the top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
