Just 60 days prior that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source for the team'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 much more joyous. As Rogers swept in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
This is a particularly tough query to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the wins have piled up.
As per the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are falling their way.
The Rogers Recipe
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened 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. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing his shots into the top corner week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.
- The main striker could start scoring again.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would be third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.
The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
