A mere eight weeks prior when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form 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.”
In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As Rogers curled home his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six games, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
This is a rather hard query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.
As per Opta, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club which has just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – however right now the fine lines are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and again against the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge they have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the player he resembled during his peak.
- The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.
This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital England player.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.
