Just eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves just three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?
This is a particularly tough question to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.
According to the data, in only two games has the team had an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.
His opener originated from a superb shot, curled right inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction might be the biggest rival they have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be another reality in which, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.
- The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.
This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential player for the national team.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.
