It was eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the source of the side's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, Emery discarded his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?
That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, while the positive results have piled up.
Per the data, twice all season has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on Rogers to save the day with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.
Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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. During the latest victory, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.
A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent they must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football into the net's top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet find their top level.
- The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
- The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he resembled during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.
Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.
