🔗 Share this article

It was two months prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or the reason of Villa's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. As Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six matches, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough question to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to save the day with some precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it happened in London, and once more against United.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent just inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized 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. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.