Morgan Rogers' Scoring Streak Drives The Villans' Improbable Push for Glory

It was two months in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source of the side's wider issues.

On Sunday, however, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, Emery discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen games, are somehow only three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

It remains a rather hard query to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

According to the data, on just two occasions has the side had an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a side who have just won 10 in a row, Villa look strangely fragile – yet right now the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping Rogers to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and again versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the most significant challenge Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the player he showed during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

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

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.