Morgan Rogers' Golden Spell Fuels Villa's Surprising Push for Glory

A mere 60 days prior that the young forward was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach admonished him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team went six without a win, the question was if his performances were a sign or a cause for the side's broader struggles.

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. As the England international drilled in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the positive results have stacked up.

According to Opta, twice all season has the team posted an xG notably superior than the other team. For a club who have put together 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – but currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with some crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred in London, and again versus the Red Devils.

His opener came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents managed more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the player he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a crucial player for the national team.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.