🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were an indicator or the reason of the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. When Rogers drilled in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row , having failed to win any of their first six matches, find themselves only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per the data, in only two games has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a side who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear strangely fragile – however currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more when facing Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, arced right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the performer he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.