It was two months in the past when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source for Villa's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have stacked up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear strangely fragile – however currently the margins are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner 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 ought to be celebrated.