A mere eight weeks prior that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six games, find themselves just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have piled up.
According to Opta, in only two games have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team that have just won 10 in a row, they look strangely fragile – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.
His opener originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho might become the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.
This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital England player.
This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
