A mere eight weeks prior when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or the source of Villa's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
This is a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, even as the victories have piled up.
As per Opta, twice all season has the team posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club that have just won ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their star man to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened in London, and again against the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more shots and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront in the near future. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the net's top corner forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
- The winger could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
