Just two months ago when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as his coach scolded him over missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the team's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. When the England international drilled in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, while the victories have accumulated.
As per the data, twice all season has the side registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus United.
Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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?
Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.
A reversion to average might be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still find their top level.
- The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
- The winger may rediscover the force he was during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.
This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.
