A mere two months prior that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or the reason for the side's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. After Rogers swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, now sit just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.
Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more when facing United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital Three Lions star.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.
