🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks prior when the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery berated him for missing a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause of the side's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, though, the sideline response proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers swept in his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult question to address. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, while the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, twice all season has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear curiously susceptible – but right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he pounced on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Key players may yet rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine Rogers as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

The current run must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and must be appreciated.