It was 60 days prior that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery scolded him for missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or a cause 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, in contrast, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss tore off his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
It remains a rather hard proposition to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, while the victories have piled up.
As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, they appear weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration 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. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge the club must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, 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 Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the North End after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
