Just 60 days ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him over missing a through-ball. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the team's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.
As per the data, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club who have put together 10 in a row, the Villans look strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it happened in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.
Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned Rogers now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial player for the national team.
This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
