Morgan Rogers' Scoring Streak Propels The Villans' Improbable Push for Glory

A mere eight weeks ago that the young forward stood on the Stadium of Light pitch, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, with the team failed to win in six, doubts remained if Rogers' form were a symptom or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

On Sunday, however, the manager's outburst was decidedly more positive. After Rogers drilled in his second to restore the lead for Villa, the boss discarded his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa continued to ten wins in a row and having failed to win their initial half-dozen matches, are somehow just three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Challengers?

It remains a particularly tough proposition to address. History, the perceived status of the club, argues against it. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant in many games, despite the fact the wins have stacked up.

Per the data, twice all season has the team registered an expected goals figure significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have put together a ten-match winning streak, they appear strangely fragile – but at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with rivals and then rely on Rogers to save the day with two clinical strikes. It happened against Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened against United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the upright from a wide position. For his second acted as a somewhat messier replica of the opener as he seized on a setup by his strike partner.

How Long Can This Continue?

Logic says not. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all but one of those games.

Regression to the mean might be the greatest opponent the club have to face over the coming weeks. The forward, almost certainly, cannot maintain blasting the football into the top corner indefinitely.

Potential for Growth

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

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the force he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

This could contain the seeds for a sustained push, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

Yet, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would sit in the top three for the holidays. And without a doubt back in October, no one envisioned the young forward now would be at the forefront of a championship pursuit while looking like a vital Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured exactly since it feels so unlikely. When the hero stood in front of the North End at the final whistle leading the celebrations, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. These spells do not happen often and should be relished.