Just two months prior that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. Back then, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were a symptom or the reason of the team's more general malaise.
“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”
In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.
Are They Genuine Challengers?
It remains a particularly tough proposition to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, even as the wins have accumulated.
As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the side registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club that have put together 10 in a row, the Villans look weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are falling their way.
The Reliant Strategy
The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again when facing United.
His opener came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.
“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”
How Long Can This Continue?
Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.
A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the top corner indefinitely.
Reasons for Optimism
Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.
- The main striker might resume scoring again.
- The winger might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
- The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.
This could contain the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.
Enjoying the Ride
But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.
The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.
