It was two months prior that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of Villa's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Serious Challengers?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the wins have piled up.
Per the data, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the margins are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened against Manchester United.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge they must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.
This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.