Just two months prior when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or a cause for the team's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their opening six matches, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?
That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing this season, even as the wins have piled up.
As per Opta, twice all season has the side posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans seem strangely fragile – but at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping Rogers to bail them out with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized 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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Could it be another reality in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.
- The main striker might resume adding to his goal tally.
- The winger could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Savoring the Moment
But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When Rogers stood in front of the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
