🔗 Share this article

A mere two months prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the side's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, find themselves only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, despite the fact the wins have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a club that have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look strangely fragile – but currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on their star man to rescue them with some crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred in London, and again versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of his first 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.