🔗 Share this article

It was two months prior that Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained if his displays were a symptom or the source for the team's broader struggles.

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

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win any of their first six games, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

It remains an exceptionally difficult query to address. History, the traditional standing of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have accumulated.

As per Opta, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team that have put together ten consecutive victories, they appear curiously susceptible – however currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and then rely on their star man to rescue them with some clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and once more versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced right inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a pass from Watkins.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent Villa have to face in the near future. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the potential of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Few believed Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And without a doubt earlier this season, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a title charge and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When Rogers stood in front of the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.