Just two months in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him for missing a through-ball. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for the team's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
This is a rather hard question to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have accumulated.
As per Opta, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened against United.
His opener stemmed from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced 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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The winger might become the performer he showed during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
