A mere two months in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were a symptom or a cause of the side'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 sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six matches, now sit a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.
As per the data, on just two occasions has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club that have strung together 10 in a row, they look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized 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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average could be the biggest rival Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Potential for Growth
Could it be a different scenario where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.
This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
