Just two months in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
This is a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.
Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but currently the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge they will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still find their top level.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential player for the national team.
This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
