🔗 Share this article

A mere 60 days in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

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

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. After Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning their initial half-dozen games, find themselves just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, even as the wins have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team had an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team which has put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with some crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting the football into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the performer he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually return from injury, fortifying a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero positioned himself before the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.