It was 60 days prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source for the team's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
That’s a rather hard question to answer. History, the perceived status of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, even as the wins have piled up.
According to Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team which has just won 10 in a row, Villa seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again when facing United.
His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.
A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a vital England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.
