🔗 Share this article

It was 60 days prior when Morgan Rogers stood on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as his coach berated him for missing a penetrating pass. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were a sign or the source for the side's more general malaise.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. After Rogers curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, Emery tore off his coat, opened his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a tenth straight victory , despite not winning any of their first six fixtures, are somehow a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a rather hard question to answer. History, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, while the victories have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an expected goals figure notably superior than the opposition. For a side who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals before hoping their talisman to bail them out with two precise efforts. This occurred against Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent the club must confront as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, will not continue to drilling his shots into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he was during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed the team would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.