A mere eight weeks ago when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or a cause of the team's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the wins have accumulated.
As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against United.
Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced 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.”
Can It Last?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average might be the biggest rival the club have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.
This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.
