🔗 Share this article

It was two months ago that the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the reason for the side's wider issues.

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

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. Villa continued to a 10th successive win , having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, while the positive results have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, they look strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

His opener originated from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality where, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned Rogers now would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.