It was 60 days prior when the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the side'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, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.
As per Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing United.
The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, arced right inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.
A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
However, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
