Just eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were a sign or the reason of the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six games, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?
That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the wins have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping Rogers to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing 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. Against United, the opponents managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
