🔗 Share this article

It was 60 days ago when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager scolded him over missing a through-ball. Back then, as Villa failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or a cause for Villa's broader struggles.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After Rogers swept in his second strike to restore his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard query to answer. The historical record, a general sense of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, even as the positive results have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has strung together a ten-match winning streak, they appear curiously susceptible – but currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more against United.

His opener stemmed from a brilliant finish, bent right inside the post from the corner of the box. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration 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.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents managed a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge the club must confront in the near future. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain thrashing the football into the net's top corner week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is another reality where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo are due to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. As Rogers positioned himself before the North End when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.