It was eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. As Rogers drilled in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six games, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?
That’s a particularly tough query to answer. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have accumulated.
Per Opta, in only two games has the team had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent Villa have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent could transform into the force he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
