Morgan Rogers' Golden Spell Drives Villa's Unlikely Push for Glory

It was eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as Villa went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the team's wider issues.

On Sunday, though, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. When Rogers curled home his second to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their opening six matches, now sit only three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding this season, while the victories have piled up.

As per the data, twice all season has the team posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with an opponent before hoping their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and again when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the post from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a title charge and appearing as a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.