🔗 Share this article

A mere two months ago that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a sign or the source for the team's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

In the latest match, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough query to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened against United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener 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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents had more shots and more shots on target. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling his shots into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.