It was two months ago when the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were an indicator or the reason for the team'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 was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have piled up.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has just won 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – but right now the margins are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred in London, and again against United.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.
“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. During the latest victory, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.
This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.
This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.
