Just 60 days ago that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or a cause for the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Serious Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult question to address. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing this season, while the wins have stacked up.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Can It Last?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital England player.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
