Morgan Rogers' Scoring Streak Drives The Villans' Improbable Push for Glory

It was eight weeks ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused as his coach scolded him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his performances were a symptom or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. The team continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six matches, find themselves a mere three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding during this run, while the positive results have piled up.

According to the data, on just two occasions have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem strangely fragile – yet at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with some precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent precisely inside the post from a wide position. The follow-up goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival they will encounter as the season progresses. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the performer he showed in Germany.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.