A mere eight weeks prior that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the team's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, now sit only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
This is a particularly tough proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have accumulated.
Per Opta, twice all season has the side registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side who have put together 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach looks like to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential England player.
The current run must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner faced the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.
