🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks prior that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a symptom or a cause for the side's broader struggles.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. As Rogers swept in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, even as the victories have piled up.

Per the data, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more when facing Manchester United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener 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?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be leading a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.