It was eight weeks prior that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him over not reading a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his displays were a symptom or a cause of the side's wider issues.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. After Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, now sit just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?
This is a rather hard query to address. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have stacked up.
Per the data, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem curiously susceptible – but currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus United.
Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.
“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.”
Is It Sustainable?
Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.
A statistical correction could be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.
Potential for Growth
Could it be another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the player he resembled during his peak.
- The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.
Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.
This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
