A mere eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.
“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”
In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning their opening six fixtures, now sit just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.
Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?
It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.
Per Opta, twice all season have Villa had an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a side that have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – however currently the margins are going in their favour.
The Winning Formula
The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.
The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing 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?
Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.
Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival they have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.
Reasons for Optimism
Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.
- The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
- The winger might become the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
- The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defence.
This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.
