🔗 Share this article

A mere two months prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager scolded him for missing a through-ball. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the source for Villa's more general malaise.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has just won 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

His opener came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition registered more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers faced the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.