🔗 Share this article

It was two months ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his performances were an indicator or the reason of the side'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 decidedly more positive. When Rogers drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician tore off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard question to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have accumulated.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team which has just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

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

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the player he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As Rogers faced the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.