🔗 Share this article

It was 60 days prior when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. When the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard question to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the positive results have accumulated.

Per the data, twice all season have Villa had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against United.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition registered more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean could be the most significant challenge they must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.