🔗 Share this article

It was two months in the past when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or a cause of Villa's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. When the England international curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

According to the data, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping Rogers to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. When Rogers faced the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.