It was two months ago when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him over missing a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or the source of Villa's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?
This is a particularly tough query to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have piled up.
According to the data, in only two games has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, they seem strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener 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?
Logic says not. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the player he resembled in Germany.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
