Just eight weeks ago when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or the reason for the side'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, though, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?
This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the wins have piled up.
As per Opta, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club that have just won ten consecutive victories, they seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the margins are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to save the day with two precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and once more when facing United.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Can It Last?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.
Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival they must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
- The attacking talent might become the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When Rogers faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.
