A mere two months prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him over not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or the source for Villa's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six matches, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?
That’s a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.
According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for Rogers to save the day with two precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.
- The main striker could start scoring again.
- The winger might become the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo are set to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.
This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
