🔗 Share this article

Just eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. When the in-form star curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six fixtures, are somehow just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough question to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, while the victories have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

His opener originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential England player.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.