🔗 Share this article

A mere two months prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager scolded him for not reading a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were an indicator or a cause for the side's wider issues.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

In the latest match, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As Rogers drilled in his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The team continued to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six games, are somehow only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard question to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the victories have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa appear curiously susceptible – however at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent before hoping Rogers to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

The initial strike stemmed from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the football into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality whereby, 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 scoring again.
• The winger might become the performer he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, few could imagine Rogers now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial England player.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.