Morgan Rogers' Scoring Streak Fuels Aston Villa's Unlikely Title Charge

Just eight weeks ago that the young forward found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, it wasn't clear if his performances were a symptom or the reason of Villa's more general malaise.

This weekend, though, the sideline response was decidedly more positive. After the in-form star curled home his second strike to reclaim his side's advantage, Emery discarded his coat, threw his arms wide and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to a tenth straight victory and having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

This is an exceptionally difficult query to resolve. The historical record, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, even as the positive results have stacked up.

As per the data, in only two games have Villa registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a club who have just won ten consecutive victories, Villa appear weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with rivals before hoping their star man to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened when facing United.

The initial strike originated from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. Against United, the opponents had more shots and more shots on target. They have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction could be the most significant challenge Villa have to face over the coming weeks. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Could it be an alternative path whereby, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start adding to his goal tally.
• The winger might become the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are due to return from injury, strengthening a sometimes shaky defensive unit.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Nobody thought the team would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a championship pursuit while looking like an essential player for the national team.

This winning streak must be cherished precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods are rare in football and should be relished.