A mere 60 days prior when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or the source for the side's broader struggles.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Challengers?
This is a rather hard query to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding in many games, even as the wins have accumulated.
Per Opta, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem curiously susceptible – however right now the margins are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened versus United.
Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Can It Last?
Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival they have to face in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Could it be another reality in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.
- The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
- The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.
Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.
Savoring the Moment
However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would be third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.
This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
