A mere 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as Unai Emery scolded him over missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or the reason for the side's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains an exceptionally difficult query to answer. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have piled up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against the Red Devils.
The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the player he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
