A mere two months in the past that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the source for the side's wider issues.
“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 was much more joyous. When Rogers swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
It remains a rather hard question to address. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the victories have piled up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and again against the Red Devils.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.
A statistical correction might be the biggest rival the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
- The winger might become the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a crucial player for the national team.
The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
