It was two months in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his second to restore his side's advantage, the boss discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?
It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.
Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened when facing United.
The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
- The winger might become the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
