Just eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as his coach scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As Rogers swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , after failing to win any of their first six matches, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the positive results have piled up.
As per Opta, in only two games has the side posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club that have put together 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to save the day with some crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against United.
His opener originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.
Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.
This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.
