A mere 60 days prior when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After Rogers drilled in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six games, are somehow just three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
It remains a rather hard query to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have piled up.
According to Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with two crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced 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. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
