Just 60 days in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a symptom or the source of the team's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
That’s a particularly tough question to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, while the wins have piled up.
As per the data, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping Rogers to save the day with some crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more versus United.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
