Just 60 days ago when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or the source for the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. As the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
This is a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.
According to Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, they look curiously susceptible – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping Rogers to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.
Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival the club must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was during his peak.
- The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward now would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.
