🔗 Share this article

Just two months prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him for missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the team's broader struggles.

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

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. As the England international swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough question to address. History, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, while the victories have piled up.

Per Opta, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a club who have strung together ten consecutive victories, they look weirdly vulnerable – but right now the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more when facing United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, curled right inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized 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?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The winger could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it seems so surreal. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.