A mere two months prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a symptom or the reason of the team's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough query to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have stacked up.
As per the data, twice all season has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has put together 10 in a row, Villa seem strangely fragile – but right now the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and again when facing Manchester United.
His opener originated from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the football into the top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Savoring the Moment
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.
