🔗 Share this article

It was 60 days ago that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a symptom or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six matches, find themselves just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a particularly tough proposition to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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 managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero stood in front of the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.