Morgan Rogers' Golden Spell Drives Aston Villa's Improbable Championship Bid

Just two months in the past when Morgan Rogers stood on the Sunderland turf, appearing bewildered while his coach berated him for not reading a through-ball. At that point, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were an indicator or a cause for the team's broader struggles.

This weekend, however, the manager's outburst proved to be much more joyous. After the England international curled home his second to reclaim the lead for Villa, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, threw his arms wide and roared. The Birmingham club marched on to a 10th successive win , having failed to win their opening six games, are somehow a mere three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

That’s an exceptionally difficult question to address. Past precedent, the perceived status of Villa, suggests not. Furthermore, they have not been completely commanding this season, while the victories have piled up.

According to Opta, twice all season have Villa posted an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a side which has strung together ten consecutive victories, Villa appear curiously susceptible – but right now the margins are swinging for them.

The Winning Formula

The current approach seems to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping their talisman to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened against Leeds, it transpired in London, and it happened versus United.

The initial strike stemmed from a superb shot, arced just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a somewhat messier replica of his first capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. Against United, the opposition had a greater number of attempts and more shots on target. They have secured their last eight victories by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean might be the biggest rival Villa will encounter as the season progresses. The forward, surely, cannot maintain blasting the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is an alternative path in which, rather than luck running out, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still find their top level.

• The centre-forward might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho may rediscover the performer he showed during his peak.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres will eventually regain fitness, bolstering an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Savoring the Moment

However, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely earlier this season, no one envisioned Rogers by the end of the year would be at the forefront of a hunt for the title while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

This remarkable period must be cherished for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful after the match orchestrating the applause, it was clear to be loving the experience. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.