It was eight weeks in the past that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or a cause of the team's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six matches, now sit a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, even as the victories have piled up.
According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – however right now the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“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?
Logic says not. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be a different scenario where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.
This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
