A mere eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of the side's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. As Rogers swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
This is a rather hard question to address. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, even as the victories have stacked up.
As per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a side which has just won ten consecutive victories, they seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping Rogers to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more when facing United.
Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the post from a wide position. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
- The attacking talent might become the player he resembled in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
