Just 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the source of Villa's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?
That’s a particularly tough question to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have stacked up.
According to the data, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side that have just won ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – but right now the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average might be the biggest rival Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Potential for Growth
Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital England player.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.
