Morgan Rogers' Scoring Streak Propels The Villans' Surprising Push for Glory

It was 60 days ago that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team went six without a win, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a sign or a cause for the side's wider issues.

This weekend, though, the sideline response was far more favourable. As Rogers curled home his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa continued to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. History, the traditional standing of Villa, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been completely commanding in many games, even as the wins have accumulated.

According to the data, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club which has put together 10 in a row, Villa seem strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be an alternative path in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.