A mere eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or the source for the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the England international drilled in his second to restore Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six games, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
That’s a rather hard question to resolve. History, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.
As per Opta, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they look strangely fragile – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“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?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition had more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent the club have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
