Morgan Rogers' Rich Vein of Form Drives Aston Villa's Surprising Title Charge

A mere 60 days ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the source of the team's broader struggles.

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When Rogers curled home his second to restore his side's advantage, the boss discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their opening six matches, now sit just three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to resolve. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have stacked up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa registered an expected goals figure notably superior than the other team. For a team which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach appears to be to trade blows with rivals and then rely on their talisman to rescue them with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction might be the biggest rival the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot keep on blasting the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path whereby, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the force he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the hero stood in front of the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and must be appreciated.