🔗 Share this article

It was 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as Unai Emery admonished him for missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if his performances were a sign or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard query to answer. History, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the victories have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, they look curiously susceptible – however right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping Rogers to bail them out with two crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened in London, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents managed more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the force he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title and appearing as a crucial England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are rare in football and must be appreciated.