Morgan Rogers' Rich Vein of Form Propels Aston Villa's Unlikely Title Charge

A mere 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager berated him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. At that point, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or the reason for the team's more general malaise.

In the latest match, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be much more joyous. As the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row , despite not winning any of their first six matches, find themselves a mere three points adrift of the leaders Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough question to resolve. The historical record, a general sense of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, even as the victories have stacked up.

Per the data, on just two occasions has the side posted an expected goals figure significantly higher than the other team. For a side which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – yet right now the margins are falling their way.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic looks like to exchange chances with an opponent and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against Manchester United.

His opener stemmed from a superb shot, bent just inside the goal frame from a wide position. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of his first capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. In the recent win, Manchester United had more shots and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those matches.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival Villa have to face as the season progresses. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs could still find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger might become the player he resembled in Germany.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

This could contain the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely can continue to depend solely on one man.

Enjoying the Ride

However, nobody expected this. Few believed Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And most definitely earlier this season, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like a vital England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the hero stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and ought to be celebrated.