A mere eight weeks ago when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery berated him over missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or a cause of the side's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. As Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?
That’s a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have piled up.
According to Opta, in only two games has the side posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a side who have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa seem curiously susceptible – however right now the margins are falling their way.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.
His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.
A reversion to average might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- The winger could transform into the performer he showed during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.
This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.
