A mere eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach scolded him over missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the side's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six games, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard proposition to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.
Per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team which has just won 10 in a row, Villa appear curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from a superb shot, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Potential for Growth
Could it be a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be leading a title charge 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 match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
