🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the side's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have stacked up.

According to Opta, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side which has just won ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to save the day with some clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener 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, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.