🔗 Share this article

Just eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as his coach admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or a cause of the team'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 manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. When the in-form star drilled in his second to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six matches, now sit just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a club which has put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

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

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.