Just 60 days in the past when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. After Rogers swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, find themselves only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?
It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have accumulated.
As per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more when facing United.
The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers 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. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward could start scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.
This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
