A mere two months ago when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for Villa's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their opening six games, now sit a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.
According to Opta, in only two games has the side registered an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look curiously susceptible – but at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to rescue them with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the young forward now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.
This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
