Just eight weeks prior that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the source for the side's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Serious Challengers?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.
According to Opta, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.
His opener stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized 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?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge they will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to blasting his shots into the net's top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still rediscover their best form.
- The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the force he resembled during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
