It was 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six games, now sit a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the victories have stacked up.
Per Opta, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side that have put together 10 in a row, they look strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.
The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the post from a wide position. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the player he resembled in Germany.
- The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
