Just 60 days prior when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of Villa's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After the England international swept in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?
That’s a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the wins have accumulated.
According to the data, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club that have put together a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – however currently the margins are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with some clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.
A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet find their top level.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho might become the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
