It was eight weeks in the past that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source for the team's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. History, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have piled up.
Per the data, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, they look strangely fragile – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.
His opener came from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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?
Logic says not. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.
A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely 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 most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a vital England player.
This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.