Just 60 days ago when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source for the side's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, however, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. After Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have piled up.
Per Opta, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but right now the margins are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more direct attempts. 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 statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.
The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
