It was eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or a cause for the team's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Challengers?
That’s a particularly tough question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have piled up.
According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with two crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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 managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was during his peak.
- The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a crucial England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.
