🔗 Share this article

It was two months ago that the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach berated him over not reading a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the source of the side's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and having failed to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Title Contenders?

This is a rather hard proposition to address. History, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, while the wins have piled up.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club which has just won 10 in a row, Villa appear strangely fragile – but currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for their star man to save the day with some crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot keep on blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Few believed Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.