Just 60 days ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for the side's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. When Rogers swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?
That’s a rather hard query to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.
As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side who have strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem strangely fragile – however right now the margins are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against United.
The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, curled right inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents had more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge they will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
