It was eight weeks ago that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as the Villa manager berated him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or the source of the team's wider issues.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard question to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have stacked up.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have strung together 10 in a row, Villa appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and again versus United.
The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.
A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.
- The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the player he resembled during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.
This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and should be relished.
