Just 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were an indicator or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. When the in-form star drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?
That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the victories have piled up.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to save the day with some precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.
A Case for Belief
Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he resembled during his peak.
- The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential player for the national team.
This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner positioned himself before the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.
