It was two months ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were a symptom or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. After the England international curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six games, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have stacked up.
Per Opta, on just two occasions has the side registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – however right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting the football into the top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- The winger might become the performer he showed during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, 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.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
