Just 60 days in the past when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him for missing a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or a cause for the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard query to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.
As per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side that have just won 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – however currently the margins are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“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?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.
Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.
This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
