A mere 60 days ago that the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were a sign or the reason for the side's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. As the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
It remains an exceptionally difficult query to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.
Per Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club which has just won ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.
His opener originated from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized 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.”
Can It Last?
Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent they have to face in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent could transform into the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital England player.
The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
