This Remarkable Scoring Streak Propels Aston Villa's Surprising Championship Bid

Just two months prior that the Villa attacker was standing on the pitch at Sunderland, seeming perplexed while the Villa manager admonished him for failing to anticipate a penetrating pass. Back then, with the team endured a six-game winless run, it wasn't clear whether his displays were a sign or the reason of the side's more general malaise.

In the latest match, in contrast, the manager's outburst was much more joyous. When Rogers drilled in his second strike to reinstate the lead for Villa, Emery ripped off his jacket, opened his arms and bellowed. The Birmingham club were on their way to a tenth straight victory , having failed to win any of their first six games, find themselves just three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Challengers?

This is a rather hard proposition to address. The historical record, the perceived status of the club, suggests not. Moreover, they have not been entirely convincing during this run, despite the fact the wins have piled up.

As per statistical analysis, in only two games have Villa posted an xG significantly higher than the opposition. For a team who have put together ten consecutive victories, Villa look weirdly vulnerable – however at the moment the tight outcomes are falling their way.

The Reliant Strategy

The prevailing tactic appears to be to trade blows with an opponent and wait for their talisman to bail them out with a couple of clinical strikes. This occurred at Leeds, it happened in London, and again against Manchester United.

The initial strike came from a brilliant finish, arced just inside the goal frame from the corner of the box. For his second proved to be a slight scruffier version of goal number one as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

Is It Sustainable?

Reason suggests otherwise. During the latest victory, the opposition had more efforts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in all except one of those fixtures.

A statistical correction may well be the biggest rival the club have to face in the near future. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain drilling the football into the net's top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is another reality whereby, rather than outcomes regressing to match displays, performances begin to trend towards results. Vital cogs may yet return to peak condition.

• The centre-forward may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the player he resembled in Germany.
• The defensive duo will eventually regain fitness, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable backline.

Maybe within that lies the seeds of a title challenge, however, it is improbable can continue to depend solely on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

But then, nobody expected this. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would sit third at Christmas. And certainly two months ago, no one envisioned the midfielder as the year closed would be leading a title charge while looking like a vital England player.

This remarkable period should be enjoyed precisely because it appears so improbable. As the match-winner stood in front of the home supporters when the game ended leading the celebrations, it was clear to be thoroughly enjoying it. Which he fully merits. These spells are rare in football and must be appreciated.