Just eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the team's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. After the England international curled home his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?
That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.
As per the data, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, they seem curiously susceptible – however right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.
The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing 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.”
Can It Last?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like an essential player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As Rogers faced the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.
