It was eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the team's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have piled up.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping Rogers to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.
Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still find their top level.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the performer he showed during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial player for the national team.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.
