🔗 Share this article

Just two months ago when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the side's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. When the England international swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is a rather hard proposition to address. History, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding this season, even as the wins have stacked up.

As per the data, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with two crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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 more shots and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.