It was two months ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of the side's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six games, now sit a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains a rather hard question to address. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.
As per the data, on just two occasions has the side had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to rescue them with two clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
A statistical correction could be the biggest rival Villa have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet find their top level.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
- The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward now would be leading a title charge and appearing as a crucial England player.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.
