A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach scolded him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or a cause for the side's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, however, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.
As per Opta, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side who have just won 10 in a row, Villa look strangely fragile – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and again against Manchester United.
The initial strike originated from a superb shot, arced right inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those matches.
Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Could it be another reality where, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the player he resembled in Germany.
- The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and must be appreciated.
