Just two months in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form 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.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When the England international curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have stacked up.
According to Opta, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – however currently the margins are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping Rogers to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened against United.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing 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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be another reality where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
- The winger might become the force he resembled during his peak.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
