🔗 Share this article

A mere eight weeks in the past that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. At that point, with the team endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or a cause of the side's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The team were on their way to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six matches, now sit only three points adrift of pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard query to answer. History, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have stacked up.

Per Opta, in only two games have Villa had an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, they look strangely fragile – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with two clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and again against United.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“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?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the biggest rival Villa will encounter in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, will not continue to thrashing his shots into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.