A mere eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach berated him over not reading a through-ball. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a sign or a cause for the team's wider issues.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
This weekend, however, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.
Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?
It remains a particularly tough question to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have piled up.
Per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – however right now the margins are swinging for them.
The Reliant Strategy
The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more against United.
His opener originated from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
Is It Sustainable?
Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.
A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.
Potential for Growth
Maybe there exists another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.
- The main striker may begin to adding to his goal tally.
- The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled during his peak.
- The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.
Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.
Enjoying the Ride
Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would be third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.
This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.
