🔗 Share this article

A mere two months ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery scolded him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response was much more joyous. When the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough query to address. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have put together 10 in a row, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled just inside the upright from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica 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. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner faced the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.