🔗 Share this article

It was eight weeks ago that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him over missing a pass in behind. During that period, as the club went six without a win, doubts remained if his performances were an indicator or the source of the side's wider issues.

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

This weekend, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. When the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the boss discarded his coat, spread his arms and roared. The team marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains a rather hard proposition to address. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, even as the wins have stacked up.

Per Opta, twice all season have Villa registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they seem strangely fragile – yet currently the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with some precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the post from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica 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.”

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United had more efforts and more shots on target. They have won each of their last eight by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge they must confront over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, nobody thought Rogers now would be at the forefront of a title charge while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured precisely because it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the Villa faithful at the final whistle conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. Such periods do not happen often and should be relished.