🔗 Share this article

Just two months prior when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery berated him over missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. After Rogers drilled in his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to rescue them with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the most significant challenge they will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Could it be a different scenario whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he was in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial England player.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.