A mere eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him for missing a through-ball. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or a cause for the team's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. When the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?
It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.
Per the data, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club that have put together 10 in a row, Villa look strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to save the day with some crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more shots and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.
- The main striker might resume scoring again.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
