It was 60 days ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. When the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?
That’s a particularly tough question to answer. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, while the wins have stacked up.
According to Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing United.
His opener originated from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
