It was two months ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a symptom or the source of the side's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, however, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, now sit just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?
It remains an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the victories have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – however currently the margins are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened in London, and again when facing Manchester United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced 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. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.
Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.
- The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger may rediscover the player he was in Germany.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
