A mere eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for the side's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six games, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?
That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have stacked up.
According to the data, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team which has strung together 10 in a row, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for Rogers to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and once more when facing the Red Devils.
His opener originated from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“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?
Logic says not. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.
A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival the club have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho might become the force he showed during his peak.
- The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.
