Just two months prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for the side's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?
This is a particularly tough question to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have stacked up.
Per the data, in only two games have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their talisman to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.
The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“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?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they have to face in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots into the top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
- The winger may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like an essential player for the national team.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.
