A mere two months ago when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a sign or the source for the team's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult query to answer. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, even as the wins have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a side which has strung together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – however currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred in London, and again versus Manchester United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.
“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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football into the top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
- The winger could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
- The defensive duo are due to return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
