🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery scolded him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were an indicator or the reason for the team's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the sideline response was far more favourable. When Rogers swept in his second to reinstate the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing in many games, while the wins have accumulated.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games has the team had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and it happened against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.