It was two months in the past when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or a cause of Villa's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, however, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Serious Title Contenders?
This is a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the positive results have piled up.
As per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus United.
His opener came from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital player for the national team.
This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
