Just two months ago when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or the reason of the side's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. After the in-form star drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.
According to the data, twice all season has the team registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club that have put together 10 in a row, the Villans seem strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus United.
The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition had more efforts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial player for the national team.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
