A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach admonished him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or the source for Villa's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?
That’s a rather hard query to answer. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have piled up.
According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the team posted an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to rescue them with two precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one capitalizing 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?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition had more shots and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.
A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defence.
Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.
This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
