It was 60 days ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or the reason of Villa's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. As Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the boss tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have piled up.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping Rogers to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened when facing United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
- The attacking talent might become the player he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.
This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.
The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
