A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were a sign or the source for Villa's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. As Rogers swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, while the victories have stacked up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side who have put together ten consecutive victories, they seem curiously susceptible – however currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
- The winger might become the performer he was in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
