It was 60 days ago when the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances 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 manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. When the in-form star drilled in his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
This is a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have piled up.
According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has just won ten consecutive victories, they appear curiously susceptible – yet right now the margins are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The current approach appears to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more when facing United.
His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing 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. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.
- The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the force he was in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
