🔗 Share this article

A mere 60 days ago that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a sign or a cause for Villa's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star swept in his second to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard proposition to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding in many games, despite the fact the victories have accumulated.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – but currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened versus United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one 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?

Logic says not. Against United, Manchester United had more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet find their top level.

• The main striker could start scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.