🔗 Share this article

A mere 60 days ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery berated him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or the reason of the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard question to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, they have not been completely commanding during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.

According to the data, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, they seem curiously susceptible – however at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping Rogers to bail them out with two crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United registered more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the force he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are due to regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.