It was eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow just three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have accumulated.
According to Opta, twice all season has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have just won 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals and wait for Rogers to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened against United.
Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first 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?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.
