A mere 60 days in the past that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the team's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
This weekend, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As Rogers swept in his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Challengers?
This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the victories have piled up.
According to Opta, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have just won 10 in a row, the Villans appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.
The Rogers Recipe
The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus United.
Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled right inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.
“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.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.
A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football into the top corner indefinitely.
A Case for Belief
Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker could start scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho might become the player he showed in Germany.
- The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.
