Just eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a symptom or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
It remains a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, while the wins have stacked up.
As per Opta, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side who have just won 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.
The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa 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 reversion to average could be the biggest rival they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the force he showed in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
