Just two months ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or a cause of the side's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, now sit only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Serious Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have put together ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing United.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho might become the performer he showed during his peak.
- The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.
This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.
The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
