It was eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as his coach berated him over not reading a pass in behind. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the team's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery discarded his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six games, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the wins have piled up.
According to Opta, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach seems to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
- The winger may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
