It was two months in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as his coach scolded him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or the source 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, in contrast, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, while the positive results have accumulated.
As per Opta, twice all season has the side registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have just won 10 in a row, Villa appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing United.
Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.
A reversion to average might be the biggest rival the club will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker might resume scoring again.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
