🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as his coach scolded him for missing a through-ball. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the side's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the sideline response was much more joyous. After the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their opening six matches, are somehow just three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard proposition to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per Opta, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the opposition. For a team who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans look curiously susceptible – however right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for Rogers to save the day with two clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the upright from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced 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. In the recent win, 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 matches.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, in all likelihood, will not continue to thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent might become the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable the team would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.