A mere 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or the source for the side's broader struggles.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, however, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. As the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points off the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
It remains a rather hard query to address. History, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have piled up.
According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the team posted an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, they look strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach looks like to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced right inside the post from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.
Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival the club will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.
- Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the force he resembled during his peak.
- The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Relishing the Unlikely
Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.
This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
