It was 60 days prior when the young forward found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason 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.”
On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six games, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Challengers?
This is a particularly tough question to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, while the victories have accumulated.
According to the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look curiously susceptible – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized 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?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still find their top level.
- The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent could transform into the player he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial player for the national team.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.
