🔗 Share this article

Just eight weeks prior when Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed as Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a pass in behind. During that period, as the club went six without a win, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or the reason of the team's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

This weekend, though, the sideline response was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, the boss tore off his coat, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their initial half-dozen matches, find themselves a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough query to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they have not been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season has the side had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side who have just won a ten-match winning streak, they appear curiously susceptible – yet currently the fine lines are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic seems to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to save the day with two crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it occurred against West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal originated from a superb shot, bent just inside the goal frame from a wide position. His brace-completing goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

“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.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the most significant challenge the club must confront as the season progresses. Their key man, in all likelihood, cannot keep on thrashing the ball past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Could it be another reality where, instead of luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

Yet, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the young forward now would be spearheading a hunt for the title while establishing himself as a vital Three Lions star.

This winning streak is to be savoured for the very reason that it appears so improbable. As the hero faced the North End after the match conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. Such periods are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.