A mere two months ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or the source of Villa's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Serious Challengers?
This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the positive results have stacked up.
According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear curiously susceptible – yet currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The current approach appears to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their star man to rescue them with some clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against United.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.
A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the force he showed during his peak.
- The defensive duo are due to return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
But then, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.
This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.
