Just two months ago that the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. As Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the boss tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
This is a particularly tough query to address. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has put together 10 in a row, they look weirdly vulnerable – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against Manchester United.
His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. Against United, the opposition had a greater number of attempts 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 games.
Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still find their top level.
- The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.
