Just 60 days ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of the side's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?
It remains a rather hard proposition to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have accumulated.
Per the data, in only two games have Villa registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have put together 10 in a row, they look curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping Rogers to rescue them with two precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“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. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Could it be an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward could start scoring again.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.
