🔗 Share this article

A mere 60 days in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant this season, while the positive results have piled up.

As per Opta, twice all season has the side posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a team who have strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – however currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their star man to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face as the season progresses. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he showed in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.