Just 60 days in the past that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him for not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the side's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard question to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.
According to the data, in only two games has the side posted an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – but currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more versus United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first 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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the biggest rival the club must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.
This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.
