It was 60 days ago that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or a cause for the team's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?
That’s a rather hard proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.
Per Opta, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
His opener came from a superb shot, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. Against United, the opposition had more shots and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he was in Germany.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.
