🔗 Share this article

It was 60 days prior when the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. After Rogers curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard question to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, while the wins have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – yet right now the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened against the Red Devils.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing 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?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it feels so unlikely. As Rogers faced the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.