🔗 Share this article

A mere eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his displays were a sign or the reason for the team's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. When Rogers swept in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, find themselves only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have accumulated.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but currently the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to save the day with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and again versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.