It was eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or a cause of the side's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was much more joyous. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?
That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against United.
The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“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?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.
A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting his shots into the top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be an alternative path where, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.
This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
