This Remarkable Scoring Streak Propels Villa's Improbable Title Charge

It was 60 days in the past that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, appearing bewildered while his coach scolded him for failing to anticipate a pass in behind. At that point, as the club endured a six-game winless run, the question was if his displays were an indicator or the source for the side's wider issues.

This weekend, however, the touchline reaction was entirely decidedly more positive. When the England international swept in his brace-sealing goal to restore Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa marched on to a tenth straight victory , after failing to win their opening six games, now sit just three points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Are They Genuine Hopefuls?

This is a rather hard query to answer. History, a general sense of Villa, indicates otherwise. Furthermore, they have not been wholly dominant this season, while the victories have piled up.

According to statistical analysis, on just two occasions have Villa posted an xG notably superior than their opponents. For a team that have put together 10 in a row, Villa seem weirdly vulnerable – but at the moment the margins are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic looks like to engage in a shootout with the opposition before hoping Rogers to bail them out with a couple of crisp finishes. This was the case against Leeds, it transpired against West Ham, and once more against Manchester United.

His opener originated from a brilliant finish, arced precisely inside the post from the corner of the box. The follow-up goal proved to be a slightly less clean iteration of the opener capitalizing on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Common sense dictates no. In the recent win, Manchester United managed more shots and more efforts on goal. They have won each of their last eight by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, will not continue to drilling his shots into the top corner week in, week out.

A Case for Belief

Maybe there exists an alternative path where, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward could start scoring again.
• The attacking talent might become the player he resembled at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, bolstering a periodically leaky defence.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a genuine bid, however, it is improbable can persist in leaning entirely on one man.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, this was unforeseen. Nobody thought Aston Villa would occupy third at Christmas. And most definitely two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder now would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as a crucial player for the national team.

This remarkable period is to be savoured for the very reason that it seems so surreal. As the hero positioned himself before the Villa faithful when the game ended conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These spells are rare in football and should be relished.