It was two months ago that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or the reason for the team's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their opening six matches, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
It remains a rather hard query to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they have to face in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the player he resembled during his peak.
- The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.
This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
