🔗 Share this article

It was 60 days ago that the young forward was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager berated him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, as Villa failed to win in six, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the reason 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, however, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. When Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The team marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their opening six games, find themselves just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, even as the victories have accumulated.

Per Opta, in only two games has the side had an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have strung together 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again when facing United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal acted as a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opponents registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by just one goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, will not continue to blasting the ball into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Maybe there exists another reality where, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger could transform into the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a vital England player.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and should be relished.