Just two months in the past that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the side's wider issues.
“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 proved to be much more joyous. As the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued 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.
Are They Serious Challengers?
That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.
Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side which has put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with some crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened versus Manchester United.
His opener came from a superb shot, arced right inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.
A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football into the top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The winger might become the player he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the young forward now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
