🔗 Share this article

Just eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach scolded him over not reading a through-ball. At that point, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the team's more general malaise.

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

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. After the England international drilled in his second to restore his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their opening six fixtures, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

Per the data, twice all season has the side registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side who have put together 10 in a row, the Villans seem weirdly vulnerable – but right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with rivals and wait for Rogers to bail them out with some precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more against Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from an exquisite effort, arced just inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

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

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had more shots and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on blasting his shots past despairing goalkeepers indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path where, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the young forward now would be spearheading a title charge while looking like an essential England player.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the hero faced the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.