A mere 60 days prior when the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as his coach admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response proved to be far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?
It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“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?
Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.
A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Could it be an alternative path whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start scoring again.
- The winger might become the player he was in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.
