🔗 Share this article

Just two months prior when the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. As Rogers swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their opening six matches, now sit only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have piled up.

As per Opta, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side which has put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

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

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.