A mere two months prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him for missing a through-ball. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or the source for the team's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the wins have stacked up.
As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but right now the margins are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping Rogers to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.
His opener originated from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge the club will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential England player.
This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers faced the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.
