Just eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or the reason for the team's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.
Per the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – but currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach appears to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their talisman to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“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?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent they must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.
This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
