A mere 60 days ago that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or a cause 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, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
This is a rather hard query to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have piled up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions has the team had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping Rogers to save the day with two clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again when facing United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
- The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be leading a title charge and appearing as an essential player for the national team.
This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
