🔗 Share this article

A mere two months in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of Villa's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. As the in-form star curled home his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, while the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a side which has just won ten consecutive victories, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but at the moment the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for Rogers to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the football into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

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

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, nobody thought Rogers now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.