Morgan Rogers' Golden Spell Propels Aston Villa's Surprising Title Charge

Just eight weeks prior that Morgan Rogers was standing on the Stadium of Light pitch, seeming perplexed as the Villa manager berated him over missing a pass in behind. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason for the side's broader struggles.

In the latest match, however, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. After Rogers swept in his brace-sealing goal to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician tore off his jacket, threw his arms wide and roared. Villa were on their way to a tenth straight victory and after failing to win any of their first six games, find themselves a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is Aston Villa Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult question to resolve. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, while the victories have stacked up.

As per the data, on just two occasions has the team registered an xG more than 0.5 greater than the opposition. For a team who have strung together a ten-match winning streak, they seem weirdly vulnerable – yet currently the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with an opponent and wait for their talisman to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred away to Leeds, it occurred in London, and again when facing the Red Devils.

The initial strike originated from a superb shot, bent just inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on a pass from Watkins.

Is It Sustainable?

Logic says not. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more shots and more direct attempts. The team has won each of their last eight by a single goal. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent they have to face as the season progresses. The forward, in all likelihood, cannot keep on drilling the ball into the net's top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario in which, instead of outcomes regressing to match displays, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward might resume scoring again.
• The winger may rediscover the force he resembled during his peak.
• The defensive duo are set to return from injury, strengthening a periodically leaky defensive unit.

This could contain the potential of a title challenge, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, this is a surprise. Few believed the team would occupy in a Champions League place in December. And most definitely back in October, nobody thought the midfielder as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit and appearing as an essential Three Lions star.

The current run is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the home supporters when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are uncommon in the sport and should be relished.