A mere eight weeks in the past that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause of the team's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
Are They Serious Challengers?
This is a rather hard question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have piled up.
As per the data, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.
The Winning Formula
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their talisman to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened versus United.
His opener came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced 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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
- Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was during his peak.
- The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.
This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.
