This Remarkable Scoring Streak Fuels The Villans' Surprising Title Charge

Just eight weeks ago when the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered as the Villa manager admonished him for not reading a pass in behind. During that period, as the club went six without a win, the question was whether his displays were a sign or the reason of the side's more general malaise.

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As Rogers curled home his second strike to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his jacket, spread his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win any of their first six fixtures, find themselves just three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Serious Title Contenders?

This is a particularly tough query to answer. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been entirely convincing this season, despite the fact the positive results have piled up.

Per statistical analysis, twice all season have Villa had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they look weirdly vulnerable – but right now the margins are falling their way.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and wait for their star man to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred in London, and once more versus United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, curled just inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of goal number one as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

Can It Last?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents had more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all but one of those matches.

A reversion to average might be the biggest rival the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling his shots into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be a different scenario where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought the team would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a title charge and appearing as an essential player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. As he deserves to. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.