Just two months in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a sign or a cause for the side's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six games, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough question to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, even as the wins have accumulated.
Per the data, on just two occasions has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team that have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – but currently the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping Rogers to rescue them with some precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened against United.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing 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. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football into the top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the player he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the midfielder now would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential player for the national team.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
