Just eight weeks in the past when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or the reason for the side's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their opening six games, find themselves only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Serious Challengers?
This is a particularly tough question to address. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the victories have accumulated.
As per the data, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.
A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho might become the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
