Morgan Rogers' Scoring Streak Propels Aston Villa's Improbable Title Charge

A mere 60 days in the past when Morgan Rogers found himself on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while Unai Emery admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were a sign or a cause for the team's more general malaise.

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, Emery discarded his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The team continued to a 10th successive win and having failed to win any of their first six games, now sit a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Title Contenders?

That’s a particularly tough proposition to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than their opponents. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa appear curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the fine lines are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their star man to bail them out with some precise efforts. It happened at Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and once more against the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, arced just inside the post from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opponents registered more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those games.

A statistical correction could be the greatest opponent Villa have to face as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be a different scenario where, instead of results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still return to peak condition.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent could transform into the force he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

This could contain the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would be in a Champions League place in December. And certainly two months ago, few could imagine the young forward now would be leading a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

The current run should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.