Just eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or a cause 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, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After the England international curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.
As per Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more against Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent they must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- The winger may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
