Morgan Rogers' Scoring Streak Fuels The Villans' Surprising Championship Bid

It was two months prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while the Villa manager admonished him over missing a through-ball. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason of Villa's wider issues.

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When the England international drilled in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, the boss ripped off his coat, spread his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club continued to a 10th successive win , despite not winning their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit only three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Challengers?

That’s an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, even as the positive results have accumulated.

As per the data, twice all season have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a team which has put together 10 in a row, they look curiously susceptible – yet at the moment the margins are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to exchange chances with the opposition and wait for their star man to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened at Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened versus the Red Devils.

Rogers' first goal came from a superb shot, bent right inside the post from the edge of the area. For his second was essentially a somewhat messier replica of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opponents had more efforts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all except one of those matches.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario in which, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs might still find their top level.

• The main striker might resume scoring again.
• The winger could transform into the player he resembled during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs are due to regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

However, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought Rogers by the end of the year would be leading a hunt for the title while looking like a crucial England player.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it appears so improbable. When the match-winner positioned himself before the home supporters after the match leading the celebrations, he appeared to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.