🔗 Share this article

A mere two months ago when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were a sign or the reason of the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss discarded his coat, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

Per Opta, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side which has put together ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – however currently the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more against United.

His opener came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa must confront in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the force he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, nobody thought Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial England player.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.