Just 60 days prior that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the reason for the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. As the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six games, are somehow just three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, while the victories have accumulated.
According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – however at the moment the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.
This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.
