It was eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the reason for the side's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding in many games, even as the wins have accumulated.
As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team which has just won ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping Rogers to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing Manchester United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration 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. During the latest victory, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.
The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the hero faced the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
