Just two months prior that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.
“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 entirely decidedly more positive. As the England international drilled in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, even as the wins have stacked up.
According to Opta, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – however right now the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
- The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.
