The Astonishing Rich Vein of Form Propels Villa's Unlikely Push for Glory

A mere 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club went six without a win, the question was if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of the side's broader struggles.

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. As the in-form star drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, Emery tore off his jacket, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, now sit just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, while the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a club that have put together 10 in a row, they appear curiously susceptible – however currently the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus United.

Rogers' first goal stemmed from a superb shot, bent right inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. For his second acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

Can It Last?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more shots and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the most significant challenge Villa must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the ball past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he was in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, strengthening a sometimes shaky backline.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.