Just eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach admonished him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or the reason for 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, however, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. When the England international drilled in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, now sit only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have piled up.
As per Opta, twice all season have Villa had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, Villa appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against United.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing 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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero faced the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
