Morgan Rogers' Rich Vein of Form Propels Villa's Improbable Title Charge

Just eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or the source of the team's wider issues.

This weekend, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. After the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding during this run, while the wins have stacked up.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side that have strung together 10 in a row, they seem curiously susceptible – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football past despairing goalkeepers forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the performer he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.