Morgan Rogers' Scoring Streak Propels Villa's Surprising Push for Glory

It was eight weeks in the past when the young forward was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as his coach scolded him for missing a pass in behind. At that point, as the club failed to win in six, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were a sign or the source of the side's more general malaise.

On Sunday, in contrast, the manager's outburst was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate Villa's lead, the boss discarded his coat, opened 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 games, find themselves a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Genuine Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough query to answer. History, a general sense of this institution, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

Per the data, in only two games has the team registered an expected goals figure notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans appear strangely fragile – however right now the tight outcomes are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy appears to be to exchange chances with rivals and wait for Rogers to rescue them with two crisp finishes. This occurred at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened versus Manchester United.

His opener came from a brilliant finish, bent just inside the goal frame from the edge of the area. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, the opponents registered more efforts and more direct attempts. Villa have secured their last eight victories by just one goal. The defence has been breached in all except one of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival Villa have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Important figures might still rediscover their best form.

• The main striker may begin to finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the force he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility for a sustained push, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly earlier this season, few could imagine the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit and appearing as a vital England player.

This winning streak must be cherished exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. Which he fully merits. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.