🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks in the past that the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him for missing a through-ball. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or the reason of Villa's wider issues.

“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 much more joyous. When the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

This is a particularly tough query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they look strangely fragile – but right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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 opponents had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential 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 when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.