It was 60 days prior when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. When Rogers drilled in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side which has put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized 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. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Could it be a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho might become the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are set to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.
This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial England player.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.
