It was eight weeks prior when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason for Villa's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When the England international curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six games, are somehow only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough query to address. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, even as the positive results have stacked up.
As per Opta, twice all season has the team had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem curiously susceptible – however at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus United.
Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The winger might become the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital England player.
This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
