It was eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a symptom or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?
This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have piled up.
According to the data, twice all season have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and wait for their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”
Is It Sustainable?
Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.
A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival they will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Could it be another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.
This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.
