Morgan Rogers' Golden Spell Fuels Aston Villa's Improbable Push for Glory

It was 60 days prior when the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered as Unai Emery berated him over failing to anticipate a through-ball. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, the question was if his performances were an indicator or the source for the side's broader struggles.

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. After the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim the lead for Villa, the boss tore off his coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning any of their first six matches, are somehow a mere three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough question to address. The historical record, the perceived status of this institution, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, even as the positive results have accumulated.

Per Opta, twice all season has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team that have just won ten consecutive victories, the Villans look strangely fragile – but right now the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and then rely on Rogers to rescue them with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case against Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, arced precisely inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opposition managed more shots and more efforts on goal. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean may well be the greatest opponent they must confront in the near future. Their key man, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures could still rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho could transform into the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the potential for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this is a surprise. It seemed improbable the team would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.