🔗 Share this article

Just 60 days prior when the young forward stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while the Villa manager admonished him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, the question was whether his performances were a sign or a cause of Villa's more general malaise.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst proved to be decidedly more positive. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa marched on to a 10th successive win and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, find themselves only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough question to answer. Past precedent, a general sense of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, their performances haven't been completely commanding during this run, even as the positive results have piled up.

According to Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side which has strung together 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened when facing United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition had more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average could be the greatest opponent Villa will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting his shots into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the possibility for a sustained push, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt earlier this season, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the match-winner faced the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.