Just 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or the source of the team's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Serious Title Contenders?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have piled up.
As per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club that have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against the Red Devils.
His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.
A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge they have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain blasting the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
- The attacking talent might become the force he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential Three Lions star.
The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
