It was two months ago when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him over missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or the reason of Villa'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, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have piled up.
Per the data, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look strangely fragile – but currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.
His opener originated from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration 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.”
Can It Last?
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. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.
A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge the club must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is another reality in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.
- Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
- The attacking talent might become the force he was in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.
Savoring the Moment
Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.
This winning streak must be cherished for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.
