A mere 60 days in the past that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source for the team's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the wins have piled up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened versus United.
Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“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?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
