Just two months prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him over missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the source for Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. As the England international drilled in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?
It remains a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.
As per the data, twice all season has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping Rogers to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened when facing United.
His opener originated from a superb shot, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.
This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers faced the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
