Morgan Rogers' Rich Vein of Form Fuels Aston Villa's Surprising Push for Glory

It was eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him for missing a through-ball. During that period, with the team endured a six-game winless run, the question was whether his displays were a symptom or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.

On Sunday, however, the sideline response was much more joyous. As the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough question to resolve. History, the traditional standing of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have just won 10 in a row, they seem weirdly vulnerable – but currently the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent before hoping their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened in London, and it happened when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling the ball into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable Villa would be third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.