A mere two months prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over missing a through-ball. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a symptom or the reason of Villa's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?
This is a rather hard query to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.
According to the data, in only two games has the side had an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and again versus Manchester United.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“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?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents managed more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.
Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the net's top corner forever.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the force he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.
The current run must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.
