🔗 Share this article

A mere eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or a cause for Villa's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. As the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to answer. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side which has just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival the club will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.