It was eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the side's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six games, are somehow only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
That’s a particularly tough proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have accumulated.
As per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their star man to save the day with some precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average might be the biggest rival the club must confront in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The winger might become the player he showed during his peak.
- The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.
This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.
