Just 60 days prior that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as his coach admonished him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the reason for the side's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, even as the victories have piled up.
Per Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. 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 might be the most significant challenge they must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho might become the player he was in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
