Just 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his performances were a sign or a cause for Villa's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. When the England international curled home his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
That’s an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side which has just won ten consecutive victories, they look curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their talisman to rescue them with two precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. Against United, the opponents registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.
A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he was in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
