This Remarkable Scoring Streak Drives The Villans' Surprising Championship Bid

Just eight weeks in the past when Morgan Rogers was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed as his coach berated him over failing to anticipate a pass in behind. Back then, as Villa endured a six-game winless run, doubts remained whether his displays were a sign or the reason for the side's more general malaise.

On Sunday, in contrast, the touchline reaction proved to be far more favourable. As the in-form star swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore his side's advantage, the Spanish tactician discarded his jacket, spread his arms and roared. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory and despite not winning their opening six games, find themselves a mere three points off table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Serious Hopefuls?

It remains a rather hard question to resolve. The historical record, the perceived status of Villa, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been completely commanding in many games, while the positive results have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, twice all season has the team had an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a club who have put together a ten-match winning streak, the Villans appear weirdly vulnerable – yet at the moment the fine lines are going in their favour.

The Rogers Recipe

Their recent policy looks like to exchange chances with an opponent before hoping Rogers to save the day with a couple of crisp finishes. It happened away to Leeds, it transpired in London, and once more versus United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the upright from the edge of the area. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of goal number one as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, Manchester United had a greater number of attempts and more direct attempts. Villa have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. The defence has been breached in all except one of those fixtures.

Regression to the mean could be the biggest rival they will encounter in the near future. Rogers, surely, cannot keep on drilling the football into the top corner forever.

Reasons for Optimism

Could it be another reality where, instead of results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet rediscover their best form.

• The centre-forward could start finding the net regularly.
• The winger may rediscover the performer he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are due to come back from the treatment room, fortifying a periodically leaky backline.

Perhaps there is in that the seeds of a title challenge, yet it seems unlikely cannot keep relying on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. Few believed Villa would be in the top three for the holidays. And certainly two months ago, nobody thought the young forward by the end of the year would be spearheading a title charge while looking like a crucial Three Lions star.

This remarkable period is to be savoured exactly since it seems so surreal. When the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. As he deserves to. Such periods do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.