🔗 Share this article

Just eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the team's wider issues.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

This is a particularly tough question to resolve. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding this season, even as the victories have accumulated.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side who have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more when facing United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United registered more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, surely, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the force he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward now would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like an essential England player.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.