🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was if his displays were a sign or the reason of Villa's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

On Sunday, however, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. After the England international drilled in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing this season, while the wins have piled up.

According to the data, twice all season has the side registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have just won a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with some precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, curled right inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the North End after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.