A mere two months prior that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or the reason 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, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding in many games, while the victories have accumulated.
According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing 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.”
Can It Last?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.
- The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.
This could contain the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like an essential player for the national team.
This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.
