A mere eight weeks ago that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or the source for Villa's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, however, the sideline response was much more joyous. As the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.
Per Opta, twice all season has the team had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear curiously susceptible – however at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the force he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.
Savoring the Moment
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
