🔗 Share this article

It was 60 days in the past that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause of the side's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. As Rogers swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six games, now sit just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard question to resolve. History, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, in only two games has the side posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem strangely fragile – however right now the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they will encounter in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.