🔗 Share this article

A mere eight weeks in the past when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the side's wider issues.

“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 far more favourable. When Rogers drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his coat, opened his arms and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six matches, are somehow only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough question to address. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the wins have piled up.

According to Opta, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has just won 10 in a row, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for their talisman to bail them out with some crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the greatest opponent the club have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins could start scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the force he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.

This remarkable period must be cherished exactly since it seems so surreal. As Rogers stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form are rare in football and must be appreciated.