Just two months prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a sign or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, however, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
This is a particularly tough proposition to address. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have piled up.
According to the data, twice all season has the team had an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred in London, and again against the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club will encounter in the near future. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Potential for Growth
Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
- The attacking talent could transform into the player he showed during his peak.
- The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.
This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.
