Just eight weeks in the past that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him over missing a through-ball. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or a cause for the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves just three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?
It remains an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.
According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – however at the moment the margins are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. Against United, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
