🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks ago when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him for missing a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his performances were an indicator or the source of the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, though, the sideline response proved to be decidedly more positive. After Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss tore off his coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and despite not winning their opening six matches, now sit only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough query to resolve. History, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, while the positive results have stacked up.

As per the data, twice all season have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have put together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with rivals before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of precise efforts. It happened away to Leeds, it happened in London, and again versus United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal acted as a slight scruffier version of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the top corner forever.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder by the end of the year would be spearheading a hunt for the title while looking like a vital England player.

The current run should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. As the hero positioned himself before the North End at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.