Just two months prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of 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, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss tore off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning any of their first six games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
This is a particularly tough proposition to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.
Per the data, twice all season has the side posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa look strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again against Manchester United.
His opener stemmed from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he showed during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
