A mere eight weeks prior that the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the reason for the side's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When the in-form star curled home his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?
That’s a rather hard proposition to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the wins have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened versus United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.
“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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is a different scenario where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The winger might become the force he showed during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.
