A mere two months in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the side's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. After the England international swept in his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Serious Hopefuls?
That’s a particularly tough question to answer. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has put together 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with some crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as 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?
Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent could transform into the performer he showed during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential England player.
The current run must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
