A mere two months ago when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source for Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard question to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have accumulated.
According to Opta, in only two games have Villa posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – however at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.
- The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like an essential England player.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
