🔗 Share this article

Just two months prior that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the team's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. When the England international swept in his second to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, even as the wins have piled up.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus United.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents registered more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.