This Remarkable Golden Spell Fuels Villa's Improbable Push for Glory

It was eight weeks prior that the Villa attacker found himself on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused as Unai Emery berated him over missing a through-ball. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, the question was if his performances were a symptom or the reason for the team's broader struggles.

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the boss discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and despite not winning their opening six matches, now sit just three points off pace-setters Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Challengers?

That’s a rather hard question to resolve. Past precedent, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing during this run, even as the victories have piled up.

As per the data, in only two games has the team posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a club who have strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa look strangely fragile – however at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and again against Manchester United.

His opener came from a superb shot, arced precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. They have allowed goals in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures might still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• The defensive duo will eventually come back from the treatment room, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, but they surely can continue to depend solely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned Rogers as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as a crucial player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.