🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while his coach berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or the source of Villa's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician ripped off his winter coat, spread his arms and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their initial half-dozen games, now sit just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant during this run, while the wins have stacked up.

According to the data, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team that have put together 10 in a row, Villa seem curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their talisman to save the day with two precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and once more versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the upright from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the ball into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.

This winning streak should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.