🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks ago when the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him over not reading a through-ball. During that period, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained whether his performances were an indicator or the reason for Villa's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

In the latest match, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. As Rogers swept in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six games, are somehow only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult query to address. Past precedent, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

According to Opta, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team that have put together a ten-match winning streak, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with some precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it happened in London, and again versus United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, curled just inside the post from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Much like Robben with his left, Rogers’ right foot has become a known threat that remains brutally unstoppable, regardless of anticipation.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more shots on target. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent Villa must confront as the season progresses. The forward, surely, will not continue to thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists a different scenario in which, instead of luck running out, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward now would be leading a title charge and appearing as a vital Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.