Just eight weeks ago that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the side's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, while the wins have stacked up.
As per the data, on just two occasions have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach seems to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.
Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to drilling the football into the top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
- The winger could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.
This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
