A mere eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or the reason for the team's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?
It remains a rather hard proposition to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.
Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look curiously susceptible – but right now the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened versus United.
His opener originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more shots and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
- The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
