It was eight weeks prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the side's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, are somehow only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
That’s an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have accumulated.
Per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club that have just won 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping their star man to rescue them with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing United.
Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to blasting the ball into the top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger may rediscover the force he resembled in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.
This could contain the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential England player.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.
