🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him for missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. When the in-form star curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side which has put together 10 in a row, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival they will encounter over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, will not continue to drilling the ball into the top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the player he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.