Morgan Rogers' Golden Spell Drives Aston Villa's Improbable Championship Bid

Just two months ago that the Villa attacker stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, looking confused while his coach admonished him for not reading a through-ball. Back then, as Villa went six without a win, the question was whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source for the team's more general malaise.

On Sunday, though, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to restore Villa's lead, Emery ripped off his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their opening six matches, now sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Title Contenders?

It remains a particularly tough question to address. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been wholly dominant in many games, while the victories have stacked up.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team posted an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side that have just won a ten-match winning streak, Villa look strangely fragile – but at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping their talisman to save the day with a couple of precise efforts. It happened against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, curled right inside the goal frame from a wide position. The follow-up goal acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United managed more efforts and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in all except one of those games.

Regression to the mean may well be the biggest rival they must confront in the near future. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot maintain drilling the ball into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players might still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• Jadon Sancho might become the performer he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, bolstering a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, few could imagine the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a vital player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero faced the North End after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.