It was two months ago that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of the side's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
This is a rather hard query to address. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, while the victories have accumulated.
According to the data, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – however currently the fine lines are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“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?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet find their top level.
- The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
