Morgan Rogers' Golden Spell Drives The Villans' Improbable Championship Bid

Just 60 days in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed while Unai Emery scolded him over failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. During that period, as Villa went six without a win, it wasn't clear whether his performances were an indicator or the source of the team's more general malaise.

This weekend, though, the touchline reaction was entirely far more favourable. When the England international drilled in his brace-sealing goal to reclaim his side's advantage, the boss ripped off his winter coat, opened his arms and bellowed. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row , after failing to win their opening six fixtures, are somehow just three points behind the leaders Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to resolve. Past precedent, the traditional standing of Villa, indicates otherwise. Additionally, their performances haven't been entirely convincing in many games, while the victories have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team that have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem curiously susceptible – however currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach looks like to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their star man to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it transpired in London, and again versus Manchester United.

Rogers' first goal came from an exquisite effort, curled precisely inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition had a greater number of attempts 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 games.

A reversion to average might be the most significant challenge they must confront as the season progresses. The forward, almost certainly, cannot keep on thrashing his shots past despairing goalkeepers week in, week out.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The main striker could start adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent might become the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to return from injury, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

This could contain the potential for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this is a surprise. Few believed Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt two months ago, few could imagine Rogers now would be leading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured precisely because it feels so unlikely. When Rogers stood in front of the home supporters after the match orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be loving the experience. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.