The Astonishing Rich Vein of Form Propels Aston Villa's Unlikely Title Charge

A mere 60 days prior that Morgan Rogers found himself on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while his coach admonished him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether his performances were a sign or the reason of the side's broader struggles.

This weekend, though, the manager's outburst was entirely much more joyous. As the in-form star swept in his second strike to restore the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. Villa were on their way to ten wins in a row and having failed to win any of their first six matches, now sit only three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Legitimate Title Contenders?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the perceived status of this institution, indicates otherwise. Additionally, they've rarely been completely commanding this season, while the positive results have accumulated.

Per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the side had an xG significantly higher than the other team. For a club who have just won ten consecutive victories, they appear weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

The current approach appears to be to engage in a shootout with rivals and then rely on their star man to rescue them with a couple of precise efforts. This occurred away to Leeds, it happened at West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, curled right inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of the opener as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, the opposition managed more efforts and more efforts on goal. Villa have triumphed in eight consecutive games by a single goal. The defence has been breached in all but one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction might be the greatest opponent the club will encounter over the coming weeks. Their key man, surely, will not continue to thrashing the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Key players may yet find their top level.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the force he showed at Borussia Dortmund.
• The injured centre-backs are set to come back from the treatment room, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

Perhaps there is in that the possibility of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be leading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed for the very reason that it feels so unlikely. When Rogers positioned himself before the home supporters after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.