Just 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the source of Villa's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. As Rogers curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?
It remains a rather hard question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have accumulated.
As per the data, in only two games has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced 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?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still find their top level.
- The main striker may begin to scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.
