🔗 Share this article

A mere 60 days prior that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him for missing a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the team'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 touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side which has just won 10 in a row, they appear strangely fragile – however at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to trade blows with the opposition and wait for Rogers to save the day with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more against United.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.