🔗 Share this article

It was two months prior that the young forward stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery scolded him for not reading a through-ball. During that period, as the club endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained if his performances were a symptom or a cause for the team's wider issues.

“Following Rogers' second strike… Emery discarded his jacket, extended his arms, and let out a triumphant roar.”

On Sunday, in contrast, the sideline response was much more joyous. When the in-form star curled home his second to reinstate his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, threw his arms wide and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to ten wins in a row , having failed to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, are somehow only three points off the leaders Arsenal.

Are They Legitimate Title Contenders?

This is an exceptionally difficult proposition to answer. Past precedent, the traditional standing of the club, argues against it. Additionally, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, despite the fact the victories have stacked up.

As per statistical analysis, on just two occasions has the team had an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a club who have strung together ten consecutive victories, the Villans seem strangely fragile – yet at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Winning Formula

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their star man to bail them out with two precise efforts. This was the case at Leeds, it transpired at West Ham, and once more versus United.

His opener stemmed from an exquisite effort, bent precisely inside the post from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal was essentially a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on a setup by his strike partner.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Can It Last?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, Manchester United registered more efforts and more shots on target. The team has secured their last eight victories by a single goal. The defence has been breached in nearly all of those games.

A statistical correction may well be the greatest opponent they must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot keep on drilling his shots into the net's top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Maybe there exists another reality where, instead of results trending towards performances, the team's displays improve to justify the wins. Vital cogs may yet find their top level.

• The main striker may begin to scoring again.
• The attacking talent could transform into the performer he was during his peak.
• The injured centre-backs will eventually come back from the treatment room, bolstering a sometimes shaky defence.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a genuine bid, yet it seems unlikely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Savoring the Moment

But then, nobody expected this. Nobody thought Aston Villa would sit in a Champions League place in December. And certainly back in October, few could imagine Rogers by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while establishing himself as an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it appears so improbable. As the match-winner faced the North End when the game ended orchestrating the applause, he appeared to be loving the experience. Which he fully merits. These spells are uncommon in the sport and must be appreciated.