Just two months ago that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach admonished him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of the team's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit just three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?
That’s an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.
As per Opta, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however at the moment the margins are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against United.
Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
