A mere 60 days ago that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or the source of Villa's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. After Rogers drilled in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, while the victories have accumulated.
According to the data, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.
This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.
This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
