🔗 Share this article

A mere two months prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason for Villa's more general malaise.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response was entirely far more favourable. After Rogers curled home his second to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his coat, spread his arms and bellowed. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to address. The historical record, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the victories have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – yet right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against the Red Devils.

The initial strike came from an exquisite effort, bent just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers forever.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.