A mere 60 days prior that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the side's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six games, are somehow just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have stacked up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – but right now the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.
“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?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition had more shots and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he was in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
The current run must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
