🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks prior when the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were a sign or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. As the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their opening six games, find themselves just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the positive results have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a club which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear curiously susceptible – yet currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and again versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, will not continue to blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while looking like a crucial England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner positioned himself before the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.