Just eight weeks prior that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of the team's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?
This is a particularly tough proposition to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the wins have stacked up.
As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a side which has put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with some clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener 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. In the recent win, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.
This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.
