It was two months prior that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or a cause for the team's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?
This is a rather hard proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, while the wins have stacked up.
Per the data, in only two games has the team registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more versus United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“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?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
