🔗 Share this article

It was 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach admonished him for missing a through-ball. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason for the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely much more joyous. After the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the positive results have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. They have secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the biggest rival they must confront as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the football past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End after the match leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.