🔗 Share this article

A mere 60 days ago that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while the Villa manager berated him for not reading a pass in behind. Back then, with the team went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a sign or the reason of the side's wider issues.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction was much more joyous. After the in-form star drilled in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. History, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have piled up.

According to the data, in only two games have Villa registered an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – however currently the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to trade blows with rivals before hoping their star man to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike stemmed from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“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?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those games.

A reversion to average could be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

A Case for Belief

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the young forward as the year closed would be leading a title charge while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. As the hero faced the Villa faithful after the match leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.