It was 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the team's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After Rogers curled home his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
It remains a rather hard proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have piled up.
Per Opta, twice all season has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – but right now the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.
The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.
A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
- The winger may rediscover the player he showed in Germany.
- The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
