It was 60 days prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him for missing a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or a cause of the team's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard proposition to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have piled up.
As per the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa seem curiously susceptible – however right now the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.
The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“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. During the latest victory, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A statistical correction might be the biggest rival they have to face in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as a vital England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers faced the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.
