Just two months prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or the source for the team's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have stacked up.
As per the data, in only two games has the team had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.
“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 registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent they must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football into the top corner forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.
