Just two months prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were an indicator or the reason of the side's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.
Per Opta, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with two precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“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?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction could be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.
