It was two months prior that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him for not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a symptom or the source for the team's broader struggles.
“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”
On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. As Rogers drilled in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?
It remains a rather hard proposition to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have stacked up.
Per Opta, in only two games has the team registered an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look curiously susceptible – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.
The Reliant Strategy
Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition before hoping their talisman to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing United.
The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of goal number one capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge they must confront over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.
Potential for Growth
Perhaps there is an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures might still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward could start scoring again.
- Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was during his peak.
- Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.
This could contain the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital player for the national team.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.
