Just eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of the side's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his second to restore Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Title Contenders?
That’s a rather hard question to resolve. History, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.
Per Opta, in only two games has the team posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has just won 10 in a row, they look weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and once more versus Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first 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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction might be the biggest rival the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.
This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.
