🔗 Share this article

Just two months ago that the young forward found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or the source of the team's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. When the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit a mere three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a side who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa look strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. The follow-up goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

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

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential England player.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.