It was eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach scolded him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or a cause for the team's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. When the in-form star swept in his second to restore his side's advantage, the boss discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Serious Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.
According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look strangely fragile – but currently the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened against United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, curled just inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker might resume scoring again.
- The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a title charge and appearing as a vital England player.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
