A mere 60 days in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of the team's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, however, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. As the England international curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
This is a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the wins have piled up.
Per the data, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team that have put together 10 in a row, the Villans look curiously susceptible – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with some precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.
His opener originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.
“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?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Could it be a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.
- The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the force he was during his peak.
- The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
