Just 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of the side's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. After the in-form star swept in his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The team continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
This is a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have just won 10 in a row, they appear weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered more shots and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge they must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
- The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential England player.
This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.
