Aston Villa's remarkable ascent up the Premier League table is being spearheaded by the blistering form of forward Morgan Rogers, whose match-winning double against Manchester United on Sunday secured a tenth consecutive victory for Unai Emery's side.
From Sideline Rows to Title Talks
The narrative around Rogers has transformed dramatically in a matter of weeks. Just two months ago, the England international was on the receiving end of a public dressing-down from manager Unai Emery during a frustrating draw at Sunderland. At that point, Villa's season was stuttering with a six-game winless run, and Rogers' place was under scrutiny.
Fast forward to the present, and the dynamic is utterly different. Emery's touchline eruption at Villa Park this weekend was one of unbridled joy, ripping off his coat in celebration as Rogers' second exquisite finish sealed a vital 2-1 win over United. The result leaves Villa, who failed to win any of their first six league games, just three points behind leaders Arsenal in a most unexpected title conversation.
The Unstoppable Right Foot
Rogers is currently in the kind of golden spell strikers dream of, where every chance seems destined for the net. His opener against United was a masterpiece of technique, curling a bouncing ball from the corner of the box into the top corner with his favoured right foot. The second was a similar, if slightly scruffier, effort after a lay-off from Ollie Watkins, again expertly guided past the goalkeeper.
The 22-year-old's influence has become decisive. In recent wins at Leeds and West Ham, it was Rogers who provided the crucial, crisp finishes. His form is drawing comparisons to legendary wingers like Arjen Robben; opponents know what's coming, but are currently powerless to stop it. His performance is also making his case for a starting role with England at next summer's World Cup increasingly compelling, putting pressure on established stars like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.
Can Villa's Unlikely Charge Last?
Despite the impressive results, logic suggests Villa's run is living on the edge. They have won each of their last eight games by a single goal and have conceded in all but one of those victories. Against Manchester United, they were out-shot and often looked vulnerable, relying on Rogers' individual brilliance to secure the points.
The underlying statistics hint at a potential regression. According to Opta, Villa have posted an expected goals (xG) advantage of more than 0.5 over their opponents in only two matches this entire season. The team's policy of trading blows and waiting for Rogers to deliver is high-risk. The return of injured defenders like Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres could solidify them, while a return to form for Watkins would share the scoring burden.
For now, the Villa Park faithful are savouring a moment few saw coming. As Rogers conducted the celebrations in front of the North Stand at full-time, it was the image of a player and a club seizing a rare and precious opportunity. Whether it evolves into a genuine title challenge or remains a glorious flash, this golden spell for Morgan Rogers and Aston Villa is a story to be relished.
