A mere two months ago that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of the team's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. When the England international drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
This is a particularly tough question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the victories have stacked up.
Per Opta, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team who have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is 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 may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed in Germany.
- The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers faced the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
