It was eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him for missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the side's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?
That’s a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.
According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus United.
The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing 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?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.
