🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks in the past that the Villa attacker stood on the Sunderland turf, looking confused while his coach scolded him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, doubts remained if Rogers' form were an indicator or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

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

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was much more joyous. After Rogers swept in his second strike to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win , after failing to win their opening six matches, now sit only three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Challengers?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Moreover, they have not been wholly dominant in many games, even as the wins have piled up.

As per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa registered an xG notably superior than the opposition. For a club that have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to trade blows with an opponent before hoping Rogers to save the day with some crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more when facing the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he pounced 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.”

Can It Last?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opponents had more shots and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those fixtures.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face in the near future. The forward, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be another reality in which, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The winger might become the player he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo will eventually return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned Rogers 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 stood in front of the Villa faithful at the final whistle orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.