Just two months prior when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the side's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Serious Challengers?
It remains a rather hard question to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have accumulated.
As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look curiously susceptible – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals and wait for Rogers to save the day with two crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the force he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
